First Amendment topicsAbout the First Amendment
News Story
 
Oregon county judge rules for activist in trespass case

By The Associated Press
04.17.04

OREGON CITY, Ore. — A Clackamas County judge found organizers of a community July 4th event improperly arrested political activist Lloyd Marbet two years ago and instructed a jury to determine damages.

Marbet sued the Estacada/Clackamas River Area Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event, and two chamber officials who kept him out.

He went to the celebration in Estacada Timber Park to gather petition signatures for a campaign-finance reform initiative.

Marbet informed officials of his intent as he tried to pay the $5 entrance fee.

Chamber official Tanya Phillips made a citizen's arrest and sent Marbet to jail when he entered the park without paying the fee. He was charged with criminal trespassing and theft of services.

Clackamas County Circuit Judge Ronald Thom issued a directed verdict on April 8, saying the evidence in Marbet's favor was overwhelming.

Marbet seeks $100,000 for emotional stress and humiliation and $100,000 in punitive damages.

He was arrested at the same event last year while trying to gather signatures for a measure to establish a public-utility district in Clackamas County.

According to an April 10 article in The Portland Oregonian, the jury in the case awarded Marbet $500 in damages. He had asked for $200,000.


Related

Mall owners can ban petitioning, Oregon Supreme Court says

Justices overrule earlier high court decision that said solicitors were entitled to work in common areas of large shopping centers. 09.15.00

Demonstrators sue city officials after protest
Anti-Bush protesters in Portland, Ore., condemn use of pepper spray, rubber bullets; in Eugene, police reach out to anti-war groups. 10.28.02


News summary page
View the latest news stories throughout the First Amendment Center Online.

Print this document


Last updated: Tuesday, September 7, 2004 | 21:20:26
 SEARCH  HELP
About this site
About the First Amendment
About the First Amendment Center
First Amendment programs
State of the First Amendment
reports

Experts
Columnists
'Speaking Freely'
TV show

Freedom Sings™
First Amendment publications
Glossary
Events
First Amendment
Schools

Congressional Research Service reports
Guest editorials
FOI material
The First Amendment
Library

Lesson plans
freedomforum.org
Newseum
Contact us
Privacy statement
Related links