Michigan judge: Trial will decide if Florida pastor must post a bond before planned protest

4/21/2011

DEARBORN, Mich. — A jury will decide Friday whether a Florida pastor must post a so-called “peace” bond ahead of a demonstration outside a mosque in Dearborn.

District Court Judge Mark Somers ruled Thursday that evidence shows Terry Jones and an associate plan to protest outside the Islamic Center of America even though the city has denied them a permit to do so.

Somers said the city offered four alternative sites, but Jones rejected those locations. Jones also refused to voluntarily post the bond, which could be used to pay for police at the protest.

The judge seated a jury Thursday afternoon to consider ordering Jones to do so. The trial will begin Friday morning.

A burning of the Quran last month at Jones’ church in Gainesville, Fla., inflamed anti-Western sentiment in Afghanistan.