BOISE, Id – Occupy Boise protesters are a step closer to being evicted off state land. Lawmakers on the House State Affairs Committee voted today for a bill that would do just that after three days of testimony. The vote was 13 to 5 to outlaw camping, effectively closing down the Occupy Boise protest. Protesters have had a tent city on the grounds of the old Ada County Courthouse for three months. All four Democrats on the committee voted against the legislation, and one Republican, Janice McGeachin of Idaho Falls.
Janice McGeachin “People in this movement have some legitimate concerns about what is happening in America, it’s not a Democratic issue, it’s not a Republican issue, it’s an American issue of what they commonly refer to as crony capitalism.”
Some lawmakers tried to remove the bill’s emergency clause, which would make it law upon the Governor’s signature. But others, like Idaho Falls Republican Erik Simpson, protested. He said without the clause lawmakers would be condoning camping at the Statehouse until July.
Erik Simpson “We’re gonna be tackling some tough issues and if each one of these groups comes to the Capitol Mall with an issue and feel as though one group has somehow received better representation or was heard more than the next group then I fear that we’re gonna end up with a sort of Woodstock on our front lawn.”
State Department of Administration Director Teresa Luna told lawmakers if the bill passes, Occupy Boise would have a minimum of three days to vacate the property. Otherwise they would be evicted and their tents and belongings would be classified as “litter” and removed. The legislation now goes before members of the House for consideration.
Copyright 2012 BSPR
