A farmer in Oklahoma was arrested while speaking out against the construction of a 300-acre data center near his home.
Videos by Wide Open Country
During a February 17 Claymore City Council meeting, residents addressed Project Mustang, the proposed data center. Darren Blanchard exceeded his allotted three-minute public-comment timer and was arrested as a result.
The officer's body cam footage of the incident shows a man dressed in a blue flannel and an orange baseball cap being escorted out in handcuffs.
Before exiting, Blanchard could be seen contesting that because the meeting is private, he should not be removed. The farmer was eventually arrested, but not before presenting records to the city clerk Sarah Sharp. The viral footage sparked online debates about protected speech.
Footage captured the back and forth between Blanchard and the officer.
"Can I present my records?," says Blanchard.
"Sir, you've been asked to leave," says the officer.
"I'm not going to leave," says Blanchard.
Blanchard refused to leave and instead walks to the stage to submit documents.
"All right, give them to Sarah and then let's go. You've been asked to leave," says an officer.
"This is a public meeting," says Blanchard.
"You can give them to Sarah. You've been asked to leave," says the officer.
"On what grounds?" says Blanchard.
"Right now," says another man.
"I said on what grounds?" said Blanchard.
"Arrest him," says the man.
Residents Push Back on Project Mustang
Blanchard's shocking arrest sparked online debates about protected speech.
It is unclear if the documents he submitted will influence the decision on Project Mustang.
Developed by Beale Infrastructure, Project Mustang is planned as a multi-building data center campus in Claremore Industrial Park, with Phase 1 targeting 2028, Yahoo reported.
Company representatives said the development would still contribute more than $250 million toward Rogers County schools, municipal services and community programs over time.
Some residents are concerned that the data center would be an environmental hazard. Beale Infrastructure stated that the facility would use 20,000 gallons of water daily.
