By Joe Reardon, Staff Writer 

Nine activists associated with the organization Animal Equality were arrested the morning of Sept. 23 after eight of them chained themselves to the entrance of Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters, escalating months of demonstrations over the company’s cage-free egg policy. 

Nearly 70 activists gathered outside Kroger’s headquarters at 1014 Vine St. around 7:30 a.m. Animal Equality has held near-daily demonstrations outside the headquarters since May, calling on Kroger to follow through on its previous commitment to only sell cage-free eggs. 

Kroger promised in 2016 to only sell cage-free eggs by 2025 and reaffirmed that commitment in 2018. In 2022, the company announced it would no longer meet the goal, citing a cage-free egg supply that continued to be outpaced by customer demand. 

The eight activists who chained themselves to one of the building’s entrances were arrested, while a ninth activist was also arrested separately. Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie said the charges ranged from criminal trespassing to resisting arrest. 

Police and fire personnel used bolt cutters and saws to free the activists. Several activists were dragged away from the entrance. 

Kroger said it supports peaceful protests but objected to the activists’ tactics. 

“Kroger respects the right to peaceful protest and for people to make their voices heard. However, extreme tactics that create safety concerns for our associates, visitors and neighbors cross a line. We are cooperating with local law enforcement as they respond to the situation and remain focused on keeping people safe,” the company said in a statement.  

Animal Equality president Sharon Núñez said the activists’ decision to risk arrest came after months of attempts to get Kroger representatives to meet with the organization. 

“Thousands of people have written to Kroger. Animal Equality protested at Kroger’s Cincinnati headquarters daily for months, and protests have taken place across the United States, as well as internationally in countries including Spain, Germany, Ireland, Italy and the United Kingdom,” Núñez said in a statement. 

Núñez said the group made adjustments to its Cincinnati demonstrations after hearing concerns from neighbors, including reducing noise. She said the organization’s request remains a meeting with Kroger decision-makers who have the authority to discuss ending the use of cages for hens. 

The use of arrestable civil disobedience is a long-standing tactic in protest movements, according to Mack Mariani, a Xavier University professor of political science. 

“One of the reasons is it generates headlines. What they want to do is get people to pay attention to their issue,” Mariani said. “You’re talking about it, you’re writing an article about it. That’s success for them.” 

Mariani said civil disobedience can raise awareness and generate discussion, but it does not necessarily translate into public support. 

“It is kind of a balance,” Mariani said. “Does this get people to take your issue seriously? Or does this lead people to like you less and be less likely to support your issue?” 

He said targeting Kroger could be strategic because of the company’s size and prominence. 

“If we can get Kroger to buckle, Kroger is such a leader in the space that maybe other people go along with it too,” Mariani said.