Teacher arrested for clapping in opposition at an AI data center meeting
11 hours ago
- A teacher in Emporia, Kansas, was arrested for clapping five times in support of a speaker opposing a data center zoning change, charged with disorderly conduct and interference with law enforcement.
- Despite community warnings about strain on local power supply and water quality, the zoning changes for the Flint Hills Digital Campus were approved, though construction still requires additional permits.
- Previous data center dissenters have been arrested, including an Oklahoma farmer, and some jurisdictions like Seattle and New York have enacted moratoriums to study impacts.
- The 'ratepayer protection pledge' signed by Trump and some governors lacks legal power, and Oregon is the only state with a law requiring large electricity consumers to pay fair share, leading to data center rate increases.
- The teacher is out on bail and said the arrest will not deter him from speaking out or clapping.