Michigan Pastor Inspired By Occupy Wall Street Arrested
HOLLAND (WWJ/AP) - A pastor who said he was inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement was arrested after refusing to leave Holland's city hall in protest of the southwest Michigan city's decision not to expand its anti-discrimination ordinance.
The Grand Rapids Press and WXMI-TV report the Rev. Bill Freeman was taken away in handcuffs late Wednesday. The Holland activist has campaigned for the city to expand the ordinance to include gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.
Freeman was freed on $100 bond.
The Holland Sentinel reports Freeman wanted to stay at city hall until City Council's June vote leaving the ordinance unchanged was overturned. Freeman said "continuing to allow the discrimination of some people in Holland is a violation of a higher law."
The city said the building had to be closed.
Meantime, Occupy Detroit is continuing to hold its own as protesters brave the elements to make their message heard.
The tents and the people remain at Grand Circus Park following Wednesday night's heavy rain and winds. (More on this, here).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
