Union’s Banner Confiscated Near Casino
Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers alleges that their members had a banner opposing Project Maize confiscated during a lawful protest near Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City.
State authorities maintain that the union did not have authorization to protest in that area. The Indiana State Police clarified that they were not involved in the removal or return of the banner. They emphasized that no permissions were granted for signs on state property, stating, “A trooper did speak with an individual at the location and explained the state statute regarding signage.”
Details of the Protest
On Wednesday, Local 150 members displayed a sign reading, “Blue Chip Casino supports out-of-state contractors (and) workers at Project Maize” near the casino. David Fagan, the union’s financial secretary, explained that they learned the casino was permitting out-of-state contractors and workers to utilize their parking lot for staging.
“We viewed this as a way of supporting out-of-state workers, which undermines local construction trades in Northwest Indiana,” Fagan stated. He mentioned that they approached Blue Chip, asking the casino to reconsider its support for the out-of-state workers impacting local businesses, before deciding to display the banner nearby.
Confiscation of the Banner
A casino employee, identifying as a manager, confiscated the banner, but it was later returned by an Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) worker who also arrived at the scene. The INDOT employee had initially stated that the union could not protest on a public right-of-way; however, the banner was returned, and Local 150 put it back up.
Police Involvement
According to Fagan, a state police officer confiscated the banner again, but the union recovered it and planned to return to the same location the following day. He expressed disappointment that their First Amendment rights to protest were impeded, asserting that they were not acting illegally.
Support for Local Workers
Fagan emphasized the importance of Blue Chip Casino siding with Local 150 in advocating for local workers against the influx of out-of-state contractors. He warned that failing to stand with local interests would reflect poorly on the casino’s commitment to the community.
Community Concerns
Ashley Williams, a resident and executive director of Just Transition Northwest Indiana, supported Local 150’s stance, highlighting that suppressing dissent should not be tolerated. She criticized Project Maize for prioritizing its agenda over the welfare of local workers, emphasizing the need for both strong union jobs and sustainable development.
Official Responses
Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch previously dismissed Local 150’s claims as a political maneuver against the data center project. She reiterated that the project was not city-led or funded and emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting local interests without being anti-union.
