Pubdate: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 Source: Alameda Times-Star (CA) Copyright: 2001 MediaNews Group, Inc. and ANG Newspapers Contact: P.O. Box 28884 ,Oakland, CA 94612 Fax: (510) 208-6477 Website: http://www.timesstar.com/ Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n262/a05.html WAL-MART PROTEST Ukiah - Eight Mendocino County residents filed suit against Wal-Mart Friday, claiming the store violated their civil rights by having them arrested during a recent protest. The protesters were speaking out in front of the store against the arrest of a man last year who was gathering signatures for a legalized marijuana initiative. Wal-Mart workers placed the protesters under citizens arrest, a move the eight said denied them their state constitutional rights.The attorney for the plaintiffs said court decisions have allowed people the right to free speech and assembly at privately owned shopping centers because those locales have the characteristics of a public forum. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D