Local farmers market operators say they have been unaffected by any troubles similar to what is closing the Bloomington Farmers Market for the next two Saturdays.
The Bloomington market is fighting what officials there called escalating tensions because of a vendor’s alleged ties to white nationalist groups.
Some of the problems unfolded recently after a protestor near a booth was asked to leave the Bloomington market, and then was escorted out, according to the Associated Press.
In June, the situation had been serious enough for Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton to release a lengthy statement addressing and confronting what he called “hateful ideologies” in the city. He was one the one to decide to temporarily close the market after what city officials called “increasing threats to public safety.”
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Department operates the Columbus Farmers Market. Parks Director Mark Jones said organizers of the local market “haven’t ever had any issues with a protestor or anything like that.”
Jones said the department will review the summer season and its policies and procedures sometime after the last market on Sept. 21.
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
