Anti-war protester sues St. Paul over arrest
by The Associated Press

ST. PAUL -- An anti-war activist is suing the city of St. Paul and five police officers after he was mistakenly arrested during a rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Mick Kelly handed out leaflets outside last month's rally at the Xcel Energy Center. He says they contained information about a protest against the Iraq war planned for the first day of the Republican National Convention in September.

Kelly says nobody needs permission to leaflet on the sidewalks of St. Paul or any other city.

Assistant City Attorney Jerry Hendrickson says the city acknowledges the arrest was a mistake, and police have tried to apologize to Kelly.

But Kelly says an apology isn't enough. His lawsuit seeks $75,000 in damages.