LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Those who protested a Lincoln movie theater’s application for a liquor license this year are now protesting the bill they’ve received to cover the cost of the protest hearing.

Deb Hicks and Cathy Heimer of Lincoln were among six people who testified in opposition to the theater’s liquor license request in April. That hearing was triggered by the group’s protest letters.

About a month later, the commission sent them notice that they needed to pay a $25 fee.

Hicks and Heimer say they shouldn’t have to pay to voice their opinion on a community issue. But Commission Executive Director Hobert Rupe says state law allows for billing protesters for the cost of the hearing if they are unsuccessful in getting a license denied.