Diverse Coalition Defeats Bill Against 1st Amendment Rights

On March 29th, 2012, the State of Georgia House of Representatives declined to put Senate Bill 469 up for vote after several attempts to tweak the bill to specifically target unions and movements for change. Criminalizing activities related to the exercise of freedom of speech and right to assemble was undeniably anti-constitutional in the view of all political movements, including the Tea Party. When the deadline for passing the bill expired at midnight, jubilant Occupy Atlanta protesters celebrated in the halls of the Capitol. Although the defeat of the bill was celebrated as the culmination of several weeks of manifestations and outreach efforts by Occupy Atlanta to inform the population, it is difficult to establish the extent to which the Tea Party’s opposition to the bill was crucial in defeating it. While the Tea Party’s participation in rallies against SB 469 was very marginal, their influence over members of the Georgia Assembly is undeniably much stronger.

On the night the House had its last chance to vote for SB 469, some controversial bills were passed. An anti-abortion bill passed with applauds from the floor, which tested the discipline and temper of Occupy Atlanta protesters in the gallery. Also very controversial, was the bill to test welfare recipients for marijuana use. Although such measures have been shown to cost more money than save money, the State of Georgia Assembly had no problem voting for it since 99% of the cost would be paid by the federal government. Who cares if money is wasted in Georgia, if it is the federal government that pays for it?

Leila Abadir from Occupy Atlanta

Larry Pellegrini from Georgia Rural Urban Summit

House Rules Committee in closed session

Oliver Beinlich taking notes while bill is debated by House Rules Committee

Scott Brown and Justin SoulPatch interviewed by the media

Tea Party National Coordinator Debbie Dooley

Kimlee Nguyen Davis and Diana Eidson

Big Softy raising his hands

Armed law enforcement divers flanking Tim Franzen

Unfriendly faces from law enforcement dive team in the gallery

Dee Rockin and Scott Brown

Members of the House protesting anti-abortion bill

Opposition to anti-abortion bill

Occupy Atlanta protesting anti-abortion

Occupying Atlanta silently protesting anti-abortion bill

Distrust of government

Strong police presence in the gallery

Preparing to throw shredded papers

Georgia State Patrol

Shredded bill proposal after deadline expiration

Deadline expiration for SB 469

Tim Franzen after expired deadline for SB 469

Exuberant Tim Franzen after failed SB 469 proposal

Franke Sinn

Scott Brown hugging Justin SoulPatch after victory

Big Softy

Austin protesting against state oppression

Victory celebrations outside the Georgia State Capitol

Frankie holding button saying Fuck Fear

Police intimidation outside the Capitol during celebration of SB 469 defeat