Tensions were high in Benton County on Saturday as protesters surrounded the courthouse.
This protest was in response to the cancellation of a race event at Daugherty Speedway.
News 18 spoke with protesters who said it's a violation of their rights and others who say staying home is the right thing to do.
Protesters surrounded the courthouse.
The protest was in response to the cancellation of a race event that was supposed to happen today at daugherty (darty) speedway track.
News 18's marvin bills spoke with protesters who say it's a violation of their rights and others who say staying home is the right thing to do.
Nat pop a crowd of people swarm the benton county courthouse in fowler to protest a race event that was supposed to happen saturday evening.
"right now we are out here protesting for our constitutional rights."
Owner of daugherty speedway michael daugherty was planning to hold an event at his race track in benton county until the county vetoed that decision on friday.
"as of right now i am a land owner in benton county.
I own 25.4 acres and i have no access to my property."
Daugherty says governor holcomb's office and the indiana state police sent a cease and desist order prohibiting the event to happen.
"with social distancing we were even going to shut down our largest profit maker, our concession, just so that we didn't have people congregated around a concession stand."
The state of indiana is in stage 2 of governor eric holcomb's plan to re- open the economy which only allows gatherings up to 25 people.
Daugherty says he sent a proposal to the governor's office laying out provisions but the answer was still no.
When daugherty arrived to his property friday evening for maintenance he found barricades and deputies blocking the entrance on to his property.
"road was completely blocked.
Barricades on my property, on the farmer's property with chains and barricades all through it."
Across the street was a different wave of protesters lead by carrie vessels who say the county is doing the right thing following the governor's orders and slowing the spread of covid-19.
"he can't open his race track.
Plain and simple, we had a funeral last week for my uncle that we couldn't even see him.
We had to do a drive thru and he's worried about cars going in circles."
Vessels says slowing the spread of covid-19 will allow events to take place sooner.
"those cops do a job that they don't want do.
But they do a job that nobody else wants to do."
In benton county, marvin bills news 18.
Daugherty says he believes the train of events with police were personal.
He is planning to file a freedom of information request to several officials monday morning.
We've
More Than 100 People Protested Peacefully