It hasn’t been a good week here in TN. Charles Pierce, Hunter, PZ Meyers, and Suzie Madrak have all spilled virtual ink and probably actual tears about goings-on here. (Even I joined the chorus of Cassandra’s.)

Tennessee has been in the news again, and as usual, not for very good reasons. Bills legalizing ignorance, stupidity, and greed are poised for take-off.

This Sunday, April 1, Nashville will join with communities and cities across the United States and Canada for a National Day of Action for the Right to Exist, sponsored by WRAP, the Western Regional Advocacy Program.

ON has chosen not to try and re-Occupy the Plaza by camping, but has maintained a presence with their information table, and in true ON fashion, a unique spin on the use of a tent-probably the best use of one since this last November- by unveiling “The Tent Monster.”

Wow! It has been nearly three weeks since the last Occupy the Blog! diary. While we have reached the doldrums of the winter, the Occupations around the country are still performing their activities, big and small, and making an impact on the world.

Please DONATE to the Occupy Supply fund if you can. It is donations from people like you that allows Occupy Supply to help the Occupations survive the cold.

On Friday, 2 March, Governor Bill Haslam signed into law “the measure that makes it illegal for anyone to camp on state-owned land that is not specifically designated for that purpose.” Gov. Haslam also gave Occupy Nashville a seven day notice to leave or face the maximum fines of $2,500 and /or 11 months and 29 days in jail, echoing an earlier comment made by Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey .

Last Saturday, the feeling was that Haslam would act sooner rather than later, but as of today, ON, although reduced to a lone camper and his tent, is still on the Plaza.

Chris Humphrey has decided to sacrifice himself to test the new law.

Governor Haslam signed a bill last Friday to evict Occupy Nashville from Legislative Plaza. ON has been given a week’s notice, effective 2 March, so anytime after the midnight hour this coming Thursday night/Friday morning (8/9 March), the Plaza could be filled with refugees from a Star Wars convention. This has even been garnering some national attention. While most of the Occupiers have found other havens, a small corps remains, and in spite of the excessive penalties, there are some that plan on getting arrested.

Like a good neighbor, Occupy Nashville is still there, their days now numbering 135. And the spirit that occupies them is nothing if not resilient. Last Tuesday’s GA, I hate to admit, was a bit painful to watch, as the frustration and tension of events caused some bitterness and rancor in the ranks, but they rebounded Thursday in fine fashion, handing out flowers to passersby and setting up a small tent in front of GA. What could this shift in mood be attributed too?

Unless something unexpected happens, this Thursday could see the end of Occupy Nashville’s presence at Legislative Plaza. This doesn’t mean the end of ON; they’re still weighing their options, but right now their main concerns are protecting their homeless friends who have been braving the elements 24/7 at the Plaza (last night was in the 20′s with flurries, and today was sunny but near freezing, with lows in the teens predicted for tonight) and also the protection of community property.

ON is still forging ahead with community actions. Yesterday and today featured protests and a teach-in against the ratcheting up of pressure with Iran, and another action is planned 11 Feb. against Trader Joe’s and Publix for refusing to honor the Fair Food Agreement.

They are also seeking signatures for their petition to help Helen Bailey stay in her home. Every signature generates another e-mail to Chase Bank.