A lawsuit was filed in federal district court yesterday against the City of Aberdeen, Mayor Erik Larson, and City Engineer Kris Koski over access to city property along the Chehalis River. Filed by the Reverend Sarah Monroe, April Obi Boling, and Tim Quigg, the lawsuit claims the city is violating freedoms of speech and religious expression by restricting access to the site.
A post on the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia website details the past couple of years on the property, which culminated in the recent purchase and closure by the city. In September the city closed the gates on the access road to the site and granted about 110 permits to supporters and current residents.