Opponents and critics of a proposed data center at Claremore are still stunned over the recent arrest of one protester, all because he attempted to speak more than the 3-minute time limit placed on public speakers at the city council meeting.
The meeting focused on the data center and Darren Blanchard of Mounds had previously spoken at public data center meetings in the Tulsa area. But after his presentation and comments were interrupted with supportive applause from the audience, he attempted to speak beyond the 3-minute limit.
He had made accusatory comments against city officials regarding Project Spring, the data center project supported by Beale Infrastructure.
As The Frontier reported, the arrest came after Blanchard made accused City Manager John Feary of non-compliance with Oklahoma’s Open Records Act. He further charged a Beale related company had been sanctioned by the Justice Department for working with a Russian oligarch.
“When the three minutes were up and Feary told him so, Blanchard protested that he had several seconds left because of audience interruption and continued to speak,” reported the Frontier. When Blanchard attempted to ask for more time, police were ordered to arrest him and he was led out of the chambers in handcuffs.
An angry crowd berated the city leaders over what they allowed to happen.
Blanchard was in Claremore municipal court last Thursday where his supporters packed the room as he pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor trespassing charge. He faces a $200 fine. Outside the courtroom, Blanchard addressed the crowd who came to support him.
“I’ve never been through anything like this,” Blanchard said outside the courthouse after his arraignment. “It’s very overwhelming. I just hope we have justice.”