Blink Cincinnati has pulled the plug on a booth at its Oct. 8 kickoff party for an animal-rights group tied to recent protests against Kroger, the Cincinnati-based grocer.
The Humane League, one of two groups protesting Kroger over its commitment to cage-free eggs, says its Cincinnati volunteers filed all the proper paperwork and were approved for a booth at “Ready. Set. Blink.” Senior field organizer Olive Wilkes said the group was even listed on Blink’s website — then its invitation was rescinded without explanation.
Blink organizers said they learned the booth participant was “an out-of-state political organization leading an activist campaign” and determined its participation would not align with the goals and operational principles set for the event. The group says its planned installation was family-friendly, focused on educating people about battery cages in egg production, and not about Kroger.
Kroger is one of roughly 70 corporate sponsors backing Blink, the massive light-and-art festival that transforms downtown Cincinnati. The Humane League said it has reached out to Blink organizers but received no response as of Friday.
“It’s really disappointing because they’ve put so much time and effort into it,” Wilkes said. “It’s very disappointing to feel like we’re being censored.” The Oct. 8 kickoff party opens this year’s Blink festival, and the group’s booth remains canceled as of Sunday evening.