The Occupy Boise group has sent out a press release declaring HB 380, the bill to evict its encampment from state property across from the state Capitol, "an attack on the civil liberties of the Idaho people's constitutional right assembly." The group wrote, "Our vigil is set up in a legal fashion so we are not breaking any laws, but there are those who don't want a visible demonstration across the street from the Capitol building." Click below to read their full statement; a hearing on the bill has been scheduled for early Friday morning.

PRESS  RELEASE

The Idaho state legislature has crafted a special bill [HO 380 – Rep. Scott Bedke, District 27] to specifically end the peaceful Occupy Boise vigil across the street from the State Capitol and block any future exercise of this particular form of freedom of speech from the Capitol mall area.  This action is, quite simply, an attack on the civil liberties of the Idaho people's constitutional right of assembly.  Our vigil is set up in a legal fashion so we are not breaking any laws, but there are those who don't want a visible demonstration across the street from the Capitol building.

Occupy Boise is part of a long tradition of Americans exercising their Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and freedom to peaceably assemble.  We are concerned with the actions of a government that is responsive to corporate demands and monied interests of the few at the expense of the majority of U.S. citizens.

Occupy Boise seeks to build community with the 99%, many of whose voices are not being heard.  Keeping the stories, the worries and, in many cases, the injustices in the lives of our fellow citizens in the news, in the public conversation, is a main reason for the existence of the Occupy movement in Idaho.  We urge other like minded individuals to join us, share our message and contact your local representatives in support of this important work.