Man speaking against data center arrested at Imperial County board meeting as tensions flare nationwide
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The nationwide controversy surrounding high-tech data centers, and impact and energy and water supplies, turned into a police matter not far from the U.S.-Mexico border.A man speaking out against a proposed data center said he was removed and arrested at an Imperial County Board of Supervisors meeting this week for a vote related to the project.Ismael Arvizu, 26, said he was charged with trespassing, disturbing the peace, resisting arrest and threatening a public official.“The fact that this happened shows the extremes that they are reaching to keep our voices suppressed,” Arvizu told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday.Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing wants to develop a 950,000-square-foot facility in the county that would be among the largest data centers in California.
The county has exempted the project from undergoing a state environmental review — a point of contention for many residents who are concerned about the health and environmental impacts.The debate over the project has grown fierce, and Tuesday’s board meeting drew a large crowd.During public comment, resident Ramon Chavoya expressed frustrations with the county and Board Chair Peggy Price for letting the project progress.“Peggy Price, we have the signatures right here to recall you,” Chavoya said, holding up a sheet of paper.
“Count your days.”After Chavoya’s statement, Arvizu said he cheered and applauded, which can be heard on a video recording of the board meeting.Arvizu said a law enforcement officer then forced him to leave the meeting without providing an explanation.
He was arrested outside the chambers.California Due to health and energy concerns, the California Legislature is considering bills to prohibit data centers from being exempted from the state’s stringent environmental law and impose new tariffs on new major energy users that strain power supplies.Clinton Erro, the pu...