(May 28, 2004) -- LB City Hall has filed a civil action in small claims court, seeking a total of $5,000 from five LB activists for city services provided in connection with a March 2003 march and rally opposing U.S. military action in Iraq.

[Photo right shows random marchers, not defendants.]

The small claims court action alleges defendants Diana Mann, Eugene Ruyle, Sharon Cotrell, Kathleen Pliska and John Beecham owe the City of LB the sum of $5,000 because "on 3/21/04 [we presume means 03 not 04] each deft [defendant] signed an agreement to pay City of Long Beach for services at a march and peace rally held in Long Beach on 3/22/03."

The suit was filed in LB small claims court on behalf of the City of LB by a City Hall staffer. (It was not filed by LB's City Attorney's office; attorneys can't represent parties in small claims court).

Comment is pending as we post.