Occupy Boise members weren’t surprised to learn this week that Idaho lawmakers are working on a bill that would outlaw camping on state property near the Capitol.
The group’s tent camp on the Old Ada County Courthouse is the target of the legislation being drafted by House Assistant Majority Leader Scott Bedke. The camp was set up Nov. 5.
The proper place for people to exercise free speech is on the Capitol steps, Bedke told the Associated Press Monday.
Occupy members plan to fight the legislation — in the Statehouse and in the courts, if necessary.
“We’re keeping on top of it. We’re going to make sure they know we’re watching,” said Brian Gabbitas, a 21-year Occupy member who spends time at the encampment when he’s not working one of two jobs. “I’m really excited about it because it’s a way for us to show democracy in action.”
Gabbitas wasn’t able to make it to the group’s General Assembly meeting Tuesday night, but 35 to 40 others gathered in a large tent to discuss their plan of action. The meeting facilitator encouraged members to attend a 9 a.m. hearing on whether the proposed bill should be printed; the hearing will be in EW40.
There’s evidence in the group’s General Assembly minutes — available at the group’s public website — that Occupy has been planning and preparing for possible eviction. At Tuesday’s meeting, they gave out a “hotline” number to members and a place to meet, in case there’s a “midnight raid” or sudden eviction.
Notes from their Dec. 27 meeting indicate they even discussed locating land outside the city to “re-camp.” The notes from that meeting indicate they were also looking for places to house group members who are homeless.
“We want to make sure those folks have a safe place,” said Dean Gunderson, a former Ada County planner who now works as a planning consultant. “Already, a number of Occupy members who have homes have opened up their homes to those who have no place to go.”
Neither Gabbitas nor Gunderson would comment on any specific sites identified as alternative locations for the Occupy camp.
About 20 members of Occupy Boise got a tour Monday of the Idaho Statehouse and an overview in legislative processes from Idaho Rep. Brian Cronin, whose district includes Downtown Boise.
“I appreciate people who take their grievances to the government,” Cronin said. “I try and always encourage people to participate in the process. In order to do that, you have to understand how it works.”
Cronin said he is a supporter of the Occupy Boise movement.
“I believe they have a message that resonates with a lot of people in Idaho,” he said. “I think it’s about monied interests having come to dominate our political system at the expense of the overwhelming majority of the population, the 99 percent.”
“You don’t have to look any further than our economic collapse, and our response to it, to see that there’s a certain level of unfairness that’s operating in our society now,” Cronin said.
Cronin said he hasn’t seen Bedke’s bill but he’s heard it focuses on camping.
“I’m not sure that’s what they (Occupy Boise) are doing,” Cronin said. “Camping is a recreational activity. I don’t think anyone is doing this for recreation.”
“Yeah, we’re all just roasting marshmallows down here,” one Occupier joked during the Tuesday night meeting.
Occupy members consider the encampment a peaceful assembly and “indefinite vigil.” Gunderson said attorneys associated with the movement stand ready to fight the legislation in court.
“I think we are duty bound to fight it,” Gunderson said. “If we capitulate to what we know to be an unconstitutional use of authority, then we will have done damage to all Idahoans.”
Katy Moeller: 377-6413
