Nine activists arrested at Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters
Nine activists were arrested Wednesday morning during a peaceful direct action at Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters after participants chained themselves to the entrance.
Nearly 60 activists joined the demonstration led by Animal Equality, calling on Kroger to meet with the organization and discuss a clear path to end cages for hens in its egg supply.
Today’s arrests will not intimidate us from pressuring Kroger to get hens out of cages. Kroger’s leadership has had months to sit down with us, but continues to keep hens confined in extreme conditions. We came to Kroger’s headquarters because those animals cannot come here and demand better for themselves.” – Dane Charbeneau, Animal Equality’s Campaigns Manager
The action started at approximately 7:40 am, with eight activists chaining themselves to Kroger’s entrance. Police arrived within the hour, blocking off Court Street and redirecting Kroger employees to a side entrance.
The activists remained peaceful and cooperative with police while 60 additional protestors joined the demonstration. At about 9:00 am, police instructed the demonstrators to disperse. The unchained activists complied and continued protesting nearby.
Firefighters and around 20 police officers were on the scene and began cutting chains to arrest the activists. Nine were arrested, including all eight chained demonstrators and an Animal Equality activist who was acting as a mediator and was not directly involved in the protest. Final charges are still being determined, but the group says it is in touch with their lawyers.
This morning’s peaceful action shows that we are not going anywhere until Kroger agrees to meet with us to discuss their cage-free policy. We know we got Kroger’s attention and we are ready to meet to find a constructive path forward to end cages for hens.” – Dane Charbeneau
The action marked an escalation after months of peaceful demonstrations outside Kroger’s headquarters. Animal Equality and local activists have been protesting there since May.
Last month, Kroger’s own neighbors visited the headquarters with a letter encouraging the company to speak with the organization. The company has ignored all attempts to engage, leading to today’s action.
Animal Equality estimates Kroger’s original commitment could have affected 12 million hens each year. The group says it will continue its campaign calling on Kroger to establish a path to fully ending cages for hens in its egg supply.
Despite the arrests, the message from activists remained unchanged: Kroger has the power to help millions of hens, and it has yet to finish the commitment it made.
You can stand with them. Tell Kroger CEO Greg Foran to meet with Animal Equality and address the company’s unfinished cage-free commitment.
CHOOSE LOVE
Chickens are emotionally complex animals capable of empathy and forming special bonds with fellow animals.
Protect these sensitive and social animals by choosing plant‑based alternatives.