It doesn't matter what side is the one in the right, people will take sides against goonish and thuggish behavior. That can grow into a stupid PR disaster. Why would they do this? Are they that stupid or hire stupid people for enforcement?
That is some seriously authoritarian behavior. That board should be removed, and I think jailed. The intent to deprive people of basic civil rights is felonious.
From the Claremore City Council minutes [0] it does show the person mentioned in the article was a speaker, among a group of some 20 other members of the community. They also include the incredible claim
Claremore Data Center will house the backbone of the internet and supports all the functions that occur on the internet.
The minutes mention that many of the council members were accused of not caring, but they do not mention the arrest. I'm not suggesting the story is false as much as highlighting that the city's minutes omit it.
The article definitely misrepresents what's in the video. He wasn't arrested for speaking 5 seconds over. He was standing right in front of the councilors shuffling papers back and forth for nearly a minute while the crowd was screaming and clapping. Officers asked him to leave, then told him to leave multiple times he categorically refused, all while public order was progressively deteriorating.
I don't have a problem with data centers and would welcome one nearby if it was a good deal for the area. But I'd want binding contractual agreements about environmental guarantees and requirements for building out new renewable energy generating capacity of 100% or even 150% of what the data center itself needs (and not just outbidding buyers of existing grid capacity). Instead we are handing out regulation waivers and tax incentives and telling locals they don't matter.
I have been to China for years. I can guarantee you this wouldn't happen in China. You have to have violence initiated to get arrested there. And yes, they do have limited protest (though not for LGBTQ reasons). Sounds very much America is the real CCP. The myth of freedom of speech. Myth.The land of the brave and free is for the super rich. The rest aren't any better than China.
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[ 0.30 ms ] story [ 48.5 ms ] threadIt doesn't matter what side is the one in the right, people will take sides against goonish and thuggish behavior. That can grow into a stupid PR disaster. Why would they do this? Are they that stupid or hire stupid people for enforcement?
0: https://claremore.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/02-17-2026-...
Not his first rodeo, it seems.
Previously:
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47784061
actually I guess civil rights experienced that first a century ago
but now it's been perfected and anticipated by the establishment
I really hope November is a shocking wake-up call but not holding my breath
If dems do not also get the Senate it's just going to be all hot air