NASHVILLE (AP) — While Occupy Wall Street camps across the country are being evicted, Nashville protesters are staying put – at least for the time being.
On Thursday, federal judge Aleta Trauger signed an order for a preliminary injunction barring the state from enforcing a hastily drawn-up curfew policy that was used to briefly dislodge the encampment.
The injunction does not prohibit the state from drawing up new rules for the grounds surrounding the state Capitol, and Gov. Bill Haslam has said his administration intends to do so.
Protesters had been camping at the Legislative Plaza for about three weeks when the curfew was announced Oct. 27. There were 55 arrests on Oct. 28 and 29. On Monday, a Nashville judge dropped charges against the protesters and ordered their records expunged.
The Nashville protesters are part of the 2-month-old Occupy movement, which began in lower Manhattan to decry corporate influence in government and wealth inequality.
Thursday's preliminary injunction was agreed to by both Occupy Nashville attorneys and the state and remains in effect until the court orders otherwise.
State Attorney General's Office Senior Counsel Bill Marett previously said the administration would stop enforcing the "Legislative Plaza, War Memorial Courtyard and Capitol Grounds Use Policy" that includes a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.