No charges filed after union protest at Bon Ayr business

The Barren County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at least twice, according to spokesperson Adam Bow, who said deputies found no violations of law during their responses.

No charges filed after union protest at Bon Ayr business
Teamsters Local 89 members protest Wednesday outside Haunted Oaks of Bon Ayr during filming of “Twilight of the Dead” in Bon Ayr. (Teamsters Local 89)

BON AYR, Ky. — No criminal charges were filed Wednesday after police responded multiple times to a disturbance involving union members protesting outside a Barren County business.

Members of Louisville-based Teamsters Local 89 were at the entrance of Haunted Oaks of Bon Ayr, where a movie was being filmed Wednesday afternoon.

According to a social media post from Teamsters Local 89, members were protesting what the union described as “greedy corporations” depriving workers “of what they deserve.”

The Barren County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at least twice, according to spokesperson Adam Bow, who said deputies found no violations of law during their responses.

Haunted Oaks owner Jennifer McNett said she was involved in a verbal dispute with some union members. She also said an employee driving an ice cream truck onto the property was blocked by the protesters and became involved in a brief verbal altercation with them.

McNett alleged the members cursed at her and threatened her by flexing their muscles and telling her she did not know what weapons they might have.

There was also concern that union members were blocking traffic with a large truck and by standing in the middle of U.S. 68. Deputies did not observe protesters blocking traffic, Bow said.

A new state law that took effect this year generally prohibits people from sitting, standing or remaining stationary on portions of state-maintained rights of way that are not designated for pedestrian use. The law, however, exempts assembling and picketing activities allowed under Kentucky law.

Bow said deputies did not find a violation that warranted enforcement.

Most of the picketers had left by 7:30 p.m., McNett said.

Teamsters Local 89 did not respond to a request for comment.


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