Don't allow church's marchers to urinate on my lawn

The recent annual Polish Pilgrimage started in Chicago and overnighted at the Carmelite Shrine on Ridge Road in Munster. I live on the route and have found over the years that I am required to sit in my yard as they pass. In the past my son and I have both witnessed people peeing in our yard. I have found empty alcohol bottles in the bushes.

This year I saw a woman peeing in my neighbor's yard and kicked people out of my yard who intended to use it as a toilet. I also witnessed about a dozen people using the bushes down the street.

I have written to the Carmelite Shrine, the town of Munster and have spoken at a town hall meeting. It has gotten me nowhere. I was told the 6,000 to 10,000 marchers are too many for Indianapolis Boulevard to be used because of the traffic tie-ups. I don't care about the traffic. Have them leave Munster earlier in the morning.

How come the marchers' right to free speech and religion is more important than my rights as a taxpayer?

- Heather Levin, Munster