Oklahoma City Jailed a Farmer for Going 5 Seconds Over at Data Center Hearing

Claremore, Oklahoma promised Project Mustang would never raise local taxes or utility rates, then sent two officers to cuff a farmer for talking a few seconds too long about it. Darren Blanchard attended the February 17 city council meeting to speak against the proposed data center, went over his three-minute limit, and the city ordered him arrested, transported to county jail, and charged with trespassing. The city’s initial $1,750 price tag for the bodycam footage dropped to $120 to obtain, and officials had signed non-disclosure agreements on behalf of the developers, while Blanchard’s legal team filed a motion to dismiss and asked the city attorney who witnessed the arrest to recuse himself. Blanchard, who has no criminal history, told 404 Media the worst part is the chilling effect, that if someone can be arrested after speaking at a public meeting, others may decide it is safer to stay quiet. 404 Media on the Claremore data center arrest