PORTLAND, Ore. - The man who was arrested for protesting Portland's controversial new  day labor center is taking the mayor and three others to small claims court.
     
Tom Wenning staged a one-man protest a week ago on the opening day of the city-subsidized center where workers, many of whom are immigrants, can be hired for short-term jobs.

He was arrested by police the next day while sitting in the driveway of the center while holding a sign that read "no."

On Monday, Wenning filed legal papers against mayor Tom Potter and three other people.

Court papers indicate Wenning wants a total of $30,000 for what he calls "using public funds to support illegal activity."

Organizers at the day labor site have said they will not be asking workers if they are legal U.S. citizens.

Wenning wants the same amount of money - $7,500 - from Potter and three city commissioners, including Randy Leonard, Dan Saltzman and Erik Sten, who recently left the council.

City officials said that they do not comment on pending legal cases.