A seemingly routine meeting about a contentious New Mexico data center project escalated to a physical confrontation at a state government building this week. The incident resulted in three arrests and a woman being shoved to the ground twice. The fight was caught on video and soon made the rounds on social media platforms.
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, an Oracle-linked AI data center in Santa Teresa.
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 the economic development benefits even out the cost of construction.
Supporters of the project, the Oracle-developed company itself, and local officials have predicted that the project will stimulate the local economy with jobs and tax revenue growth.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, tensions rose after the county commission ended the public comment period. Several people who opposed the project continued shouting that they had not been given a chance to speak.
The protesters shouted, “Let us speak,” and headed to the front of the room. As two deputies tried to remove one person from the meeting, other protesters 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.
They were all booked on no bond.
A video of the confrontation was posted on Instagram by etschmalz and on X by @LongTimeHistory. The video garnered quick attention and discussion.
Internet Reacts to New Mexico Data Center Protest Arrests
Commenters online largely focused on distrust of the county’s handling of 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.”
A dissenting view pushed back on that framing: “Having police and sheriff offices that understand freedom of speech and will protect it are key to keeping freedom in America.”
Project Jupiter has been under construction for several months in New Mexico. According to a company statement, it has generated nearly $80 million in state and county tax revenue and has employed almost 700 residents.
The project is still fighting lawsuits by people who oppose the county’s approval of its financing.
