Idaho House Votes to Evict Occupy Boise

BOISE, Id – The Idaho House voted today for a bill to evict Occupy Boise from state land.  The legislation to outlaw the group’s campsite is on the fast track through the Idaho Legislature.  Several Representatives argued against it, including Boise Democrat Phylis King.  She said the bill was too harsh.

Phylis King “These are Idaho citizens.  I’ve gotten emails from all over the state, and those that testified were teachers, lawyers, ex-city councilmen, retirees, and veterans, I bet half of the people were veterans.  I was impressed by how thoughtful and courteous they were, they believed they were just expressing their rights to peaceful assembly.”

Eagle Republican Reed DeMordaunt compared Occupy Boise to a playground bully.  He says when he doesn’t agree with someone, he doesn’t camp on their lawn until he changes their mind.

Reed DeMordaunt “Will we continue to show each other the respect that we should?  Or will we allow efforts to quote “Occupy” to essentially allow a group, an organization, an individual, whoever, to essentially publically blackmail until they get their way?  I believe that is a dangerous precident.”

The legislation now heads to the Senate State Affairs Committee for consideration.

Copyright 2012 BSPR