(BLOOMINGTON) – The Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing citations issued to five people at the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market on Saturday to determine if more charges will be pursued.
The five protesters with the Purple Shirt Brigade were removed by Bloomington Police officers from the Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market and issued trespass and disorderly conduct citations.
Those receiving citations were Charles Bonds, Forrest Gilmore, Lesamarie Hacker, Ashley Pirani, and Tom Westgard.
Police say the five were holding signs and were asked to leave but refused. The rules at the Farmers’ Market state protestors can only protest in the designated area.
The planned demonstration by the Purple Shirt Brigade involved carrying signs and singing near the Schooner Creek Farm’s vendor stand in the middle of the market.
The group was protesting Schooner Creek Farm’s owner’s connection to a white nationalist group. They say Sarah Dye and Doug Mackey are connected to the white nationalist group American Identity Movement, formerly known as Identity Evropa. However, at this time, this is only an accusation that has not been substantiated.
