June 26, 2026 An Oklahoma farmer arrested after exceeding his speaking time at a public meeting about a proposed data centre says he is fighting the charge and believes his arrest was retaliation for exercising his right to speak. Darren Blanchard, who was arrested at a Feb. 17 Claremore City Council meeting and charged with criminal trespass, said he has filed a motion to dismiss the charge and is seeking to have the city’s attorney removed from the case because he witnessed the arrest.
Blanchard was arrested during a community meeting held to hear concerns about a planned data centre project known as Project Mustang. Residents in Claremore have opposed the proposed development, arguing it was approved without sufficient public input. According to Blanchard, city officials signed non-disclosure agreements with developers and have provided limited details about the project. The criminal trespass charge carries a $200 penalty.
Body camera footage shared by Blanchard with 404 Media shows police approaching him after he exceeded a three-minute public comment limit established by the city council to accommodate a large number of speakers.
After finishing his remarks, Blanchard attempted to provide documents to council members. “You’ve been asked to leave,” an officer told him, according to the footage.
Blanchard repeatedly asked officers on what grounds he was being removed before another officer instructed police to arrest him. Officers then placed him in handcuffs as members of the audience booed and shouted objections.
Blanchard said he has no prior criminal history and described the experience as overwhelming. “Even if my charges are dismissed and the arrest is deemed unlawful, the process I have endured is the penalty,” he stated.
As he revealed, he worries the incident could discourage others from participating in public meetings. “If someone can be arrested after speaking at a public meeting, others may decide it is safer to stay quiet,” he said.
Despite the arrest, Blanchard said he intends to continue speaking publicly against the proposed data centre. According to him, opposition to such projects is growing across the United States as communities raise concerns about impacts on land, water resources, electricity costs, agriculture and local development.
“A pattern is unfolding where these developers come in with promises of jobs and investment,” Blanchard said, adding that residents often bear long-term costs while having limited input in decisions. He remains confident the courts will ultimately rule in his favour.
