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Residents protest proposed Google data center at Hermantown City Council meeting

Hermantown, Minnesota, United States · Oct 26, 2026

Is it still on?

NOIt was a one-day action on Oct 26.

Last report · checked

The Tea in three lines

Why they are protesting
Residents opposed a proposed Google data center and criticized the city council for scheduling a vote ahead of a related court hearing.
What they want
To halt the vote, allow public participation, and stop the data center project.
What changed
Oct 26: Protesters cleared out after police declared an unlawful assembly and the council postponed the meeting to Tuesday.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Stop the data center project
  • Reschedule the meeting at a larger venue
  • Allow full public participation

Organised by: Stop the Hermantown Data Center

What authorities say

Hermantown Police Chief Jim Crace declared the gathering an unlawful assembly due to overcrowding and gave protesters ten minutes to leave or face arrest. City officials postponed the council meeting to the following day, citing safety concerns.123

The full story

On October 26, 2026, hundreds of residents gathered at Hermantown City Hall in Minnesota to oppose a controversial proposed Google data center ahead of a scheduled city council vote. Protesters wearing red shirts filled the council chambers and overflow rooms, chanting slogans such as “Let us speak!” and “Shut it down!” while sitting on the floor. The demonstration effectively prevented the meeting from proceeding, leading the council to briefly gavel in and immediately adjourn. Hermantown Police Chief Jim Crace declared the gathering an unlawful assembly due to severe overcapacity and gave occupants ten minutes to disperse or face arrest. Protesters eventually cleared out peacefully. City officials postponed the votes until Tuesday. Meanwhile, data center supporters, including union members and the Hermantown Chamber of Commerce, criticized the disruption.

Timeline

  1. The city council adjourned and rescheduled the meeting to Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., and protesters cleared the building peacefully.123

  2. Police Chief Jim Crace used a megaphone to declare the assembly unlawful and unsafe due to overcapacity, giving people ten minutes to exit.13

  3. Protesters began chanting slogans like “Let us speak!” and later sat on the floor chanting “Shut it down!” after failing to fit into the chambers.123

  4. Crowds gathered at Hermantown City Hall ahead of a scheduled 6:30 p.m. city council vote on a proposed Google data center.123

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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