Wednesday, March 17, 2004 · Last updated 10:39 a.m. PT
Lesbian minister arrives for church trial; protesters arrested
By MELANTHIA MITCHELL
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
BOTHELL -- Police outside a United Methodist church Wednesday morning arrested dozens of supporters of the Rev. Karen Dammann after they tried to stop a trial on whether the lesbian pastor could continue her ministry.
About 100 people protested loudly but peaceably outside Bothell United Methodist in this northeast Seattle suburb, and many tried to blocked church officials from entering the building. Police arrested 33 when they refused to move.
Dammann and church officials were able to get inside the building, where a jury of 13 pastors was to determine whether she can remain as a church minister. Three years ago, when she held a church position in Seattle, Dammann disclosed that she was in a homosexual relationship.
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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/aplocal_story.asp?category=6420&slug=WA%20Gay%20Pastor