A New Mexico county commission meeting over a controversial AI data center erupted into a physical confrontation after protesters demanded more time to speak, resulting in three arrests and a woman being taken to the ground twice. The chaotic encounter was captured on video and quickly spread online.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the incident took place on Tuesday at a Doña Ana County commissioners meeting. During the meeting, the commissioners were discussing Project Jupiter, a massive AI data center campus in Santa Teresa where Oracle is the tenant.
The project has been contentious for nearly a year due to doubts regarding the amount of water it will use, its electricity requirements, and whether its promised economic benefits justify the project’s costs and resource demands.
Supporters of the project, Oracle, and local officials have predicted that the data center will stimulate the local economy through jobs and increased tax revenue.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, tensions escalated after commissioners ended the public comment period while some opponents said they had not been given an opportunity to speak.
Protesters began chanting, “Let us speak,” and moved toward the front of the room. As two deputies tried to remove one person from the meeting, other attendees and a private security officer became involved in a pushing and shoving incident.
During the confrontation, 26-year-old certified nursing assistant Abegail Salugsugan was thrown to the ground twice, the outlet reported. She was later taken into custody outside the meeting room.
According to Doña Ana County jail records cited by KVIA, she was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting or obstructing an officer.
Two other individuals were taken into custody as well. 33-year-old Kiki Garden was charged with the same two offenses as Salugsugan, while 50-year-old Orin Parnell was charged with only disorderly conduct.
Jail records initially listed all three as being held without bond.
A video of the confrontation was posted on Instagram by etschmalz and on X by @LongTimeHistory. The video garnered quick attention and discussion.
New Mexico Data Center Arrests Ignite Debate Over Free Speech
Commenters online largely focused on distrust of the county’s handling of the project. Some commenters went further, making unsubstantiated allegations of corruption surrounding the project. One person wrote, “The only reason they protect data centers so much is because they are all getting paid behind closed doors.” Another argued the outcome was predictable: “Did you expect any different from government? Any 10-year-old that studies history can tell you that all government always becomes tyrannical.”
Some comments extended the criticism to artificial intelligence broadly. One user wrote, “Anyone think AI is going to be a good thing? Simply look at what they do, if you let them maintain control it’s the end for you.” Another framed the arrests as a First Amendment issue: “These ‘officers’ are enforcing the will of this committee AGAINST the citizens, the time for chanting is OVER, you are now being arrested for using your First Amendment rights.”
However, the available reporting provides more context than the viral reactions suggest. According to the Albuquerque Journal, the confrontation began after commissioners ended the public comment period and some opponents continued demanding an opportunity to speak. Deputies became involved as people moved toward the front of the room, and jail records cited by KVIA show the three people arrested faced disorderly conduct charges, with two also charged with resisting or obstructing an officer. The available reporting does not establish that they were arrested simply for expressing opposition to Project Jupiter.
The company behind Project Jupiter says construction has already generated nearly $80 million in state and county tax revenue and employed almost 700 New Mexico residents.
The confrontation has added another flashpoint to an already bitter fight over Project Jupiter. While the company points to jobs and millions in tax revenue generated during construction, opponents continue challenging the project’s water and electricity demands as well as the county’s approval of its financing in court.
