By: jimmychurch on 12/12/11
I think it's a great idea. I want them to allow us to have a special permit for a KKK rally and for a Skinhead reunion. Can't see where these groups are any more special than Occupy Space and not work group.

By: postlooker22 on 12/14/11
We are the 99%, but only the zaniest and the out of work will protest as 'the 99%'. People forget that the 1% are the cigarette big wigs, the oil tycoons, the police, the local politicians as well as the national leaders. We are not apart of that circle and will only be allowed to protest from the outside. And that is true because of a thing called 'free speech'!

By: mlw6r_mtsu_f11 on 12/14/11
The First Amendment allows the Occupy movement to protest against what they feel is wrong, but the permits that they are fighting are there for a reason. The state has to allow all persons seeking to use public property no matter what the group, religion or reason for speech. All of these groups, again no matter what they stand for, have to oblige to the fees that come along with asking for a permit. The groups that come along looking for a permit may be extreme and against the majority but use of public property cannot discriminate against who gets to use it and who can’t. One point the Occupy movement made was that they are fighting the fight for the poor, and a permit fee is not something that they can afford. I personally agree with this, and all though I believe that their stance is a little scattered at the heart they have good intentions. With this though does not mean that the city of Murfreesboro can just waive the fee for obtaining a permit. If that was the case all groups would state this same fact, and no one would be paying for use of this property and this could lead to more than one group fighting for the space at one time.

By: protector on 12/16/11
heck, if I knew someone in this group, I'd gladly pay the fee for them and their $50 ticket. I respect anyone willing to sit out in the cold for two days for a cause one feels that committed to expressing.

However, regardless of any groups position on issues, respect to authority needs to be considered. The cities rules and laws are understandable and are not unreasonable. They are set to maintain our city for all citizens benefit. Opposing these permits by this seems a bit irrational and expressing more of a need to be in conflict with any set rules at large than the desire to pursue their cause.

It seems most strongly opinionated groups tend to focus within than focus on the community at large which, in my opinion, renders then stagnant vs. progressive in accomplishing any benefit.

By: protector on 12/17/11
I messed that last sentence up (probably due to old age). Meant to say..It seems most strongly opinionated groups tend to concentrate more on seemingly stupid bullheaded beliefs within rather than on focusing on their influence on the community at large which renders them often stagnant vs. progressive in accomplishing any benefit to their original cause. And that opinion is derived not altogether from this group mentioned in this article, but observations from others as well.