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.