Legislative Plaza Becomes GOP Plaza

It looks like the Republicans are tired of riff-raff out there opposing their policies designed to screw the poor to the benefit of the wealthy.  A new directive, in response to the Occupy Nashville peaceful protests, cuts off access to legislative plaza for those who don't have the blessing of the Governor's office:

Effective immediately and until further notice, all assemblies and gatherings of persons on the State of Tennessee Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds areas in Nashville, Tennessee shall require a use permit from the Tennessee Department of General Services. Use of any portion of the Capitol grounds also requires the approval of the Tennessee Capitol Commission.

The Department of General Services may issue permits upon proper application and satisfaction of use fees, security and liability insurance requirements for use of the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Special use permits for the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds during hours outside of the 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. period may be approved at the discretion of the Department on a case by case basis.

Notwithstanding the above, the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol grounds areas are closed to the public from 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. daily and no person shall enter upon those premises during this curfew period without specific authorization by the State of Tennessee. In no event shall overnight occupancy of the Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard or Capitol grounds areas be permitted by any group or individual.

The foregoing policy is issued under the authority of T. C. A. § 4-8-101 and in the interest of protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public. Issued this 27th day of October, 2011 by the Tennessee Department of General Services.

The authorizing legislation referenced reads as such:

4-8-101. Care of buildings and fixtures -- Preservation of order.

(a) (1) Except as otherwise provided by subdivision (a)(2), it is the duty of the department of general services, through the commissioner, to take care of and preserve the state capitol and capitol annexes and all the furniture, fixtures and the capitol grounds, and to keep the same in good order.

(2) It is the duty of the department of general services, through the commissioner acting with approval of the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives, to take care of and preserve the second floor of the state capitol, including all chambers, galleries, offices, rooms, hallways, balconies, storage areas and other spaces therein, and all associated furniture and fixtures and to keep the same in good order.

(b) The department, through proper agencies, has the authority to preserve order among visitors who may be in and around the capitol and annexes, and to keep improper persons out of the different offices and rooms, in the absence of the regular occupants.