by Chris Cannon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Members of the Occupy Nashville movement had some company Thursday at their nightly meeting as some Vanderbilt College republicans moved in to have their voices heard.
Occupy Nashville's general assembly started Thursday, like most nights with announcements, but during the meeting the Vanderbilt College Republicans were preparing a protest of their own.
"We hope to show Nashville that all the youth, and all the college students aren't with this movement, as is portrayed often," said Vanderbilt Junior Stephen Siao.
As the Vanderbilt College republicans prepared to begin their counter-protest and Occupy member decided to start things off on a friendly note.
"So we just wanted to make sure those people, when they came, felt welcomed to join, rather than interrupt something," said Tristan Call, Occupy Nashville Member.
While the Vanderbilt Republicans made the move on the Occupy meeting to have their voices heard, chanting no more handouts, Occupy members put out their hands.
Although the counter-protest confrontation was full of loud chants at first in the end it simmered down to a civilized discussion and the young republicans eventually addressed the general assembly.
"You should be protesting the White House. You should be protesting the White House. Not Wall Street. Not Wall Street Or the Tennessee Capitol," said
After the general assembly many members of both groups broke off into one-on-one discussions all held in a civil tone.
"In general I think it's gone well and since the people had the chance to talk together, I hope it went better than they anticipated," said Call
"We're surprised to be this welcomed, but we definitely think we got out message heard" said Siao
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