In Tennessee, it’s a felony to camp on public land. This 87-year-old wanted to protest the law – and was arrested.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban people from sleeping or camping in public places. In Tennessee, sleeping in those places was already criminalized by a 2020 law that made it a felony to camp on most state-owned property. And, in 2022, legislators expanded that law to make it illegal to camp on all public property unless otherwise specified. What is now a class E felony comes with a penalty of up to six years in prison and a $3,000 fine.

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS