Michigan Pastor Arrested for Gay Rights Protest

The Rev. Bill Freeman was arrested Wednesday in Holland for protesting the city's lack of a gay rights antidiscrimination ordinance in an action inspired by Occupy Wall Street.

The Grand Rapids Press reports on Freeman, minister of Interfaith Congregation, who refused to leave City Hall and was taken to the Ottawa County Jail. He posted $100 bond late Wednesday and was released.

The Holland City Council voted 5 to 4 in June to maintain the nondiscrimination ordinance covering employment and housing in its current form without protections for sexual orientation and gender identity. Freeman has spoken at city council meetings since then to ask lawmakers to reconsider, but they have given no indication of changing their minds.

"I think sometimes the only thing you can do is civic disobedience," he said, according to the Grand Rapids Press. "I hoped it wouldn't come to this. I don't know what else to do. I've tried everything else."