Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson Sues Memphis Over Bans From Meetings During xAI Data Center Protests
Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson and other plaintiffs sued the City of Memphis after being barred from City Council meetings during protests over xAI data center operations in South Memphis. The lawsuit seeks to restore their access, while residents continue pressing the council to consider a moratorium on new data center development and address environmental concerns.
Tennessee state Rep. Justin J. Pearson and five other plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit against Memphis after City Council Chairwoman Jana Swearengen-Washington barred them from attending upcoming council meetings. The plaintiffs, assisted by Vanderbilt Law School’s Stanton Foundation First Amendment Clinic, are seeking a temporary restraining order, arguing that the restrictions violate their constitutional rights and selectively silence critics.
The dispute grew out of protests over Elon Musk’s xAI data center operations in South Memphis and a delayed council vote on a proposed moratorium on new data center development. Pearson and local residents have raised concerns about air and water impacts, including alleged emissions from gas turbines, while Memphis City Attorney Allan Wade defended the meeting bans as consistent with council procedures. The council was expected to revisit the moratorium as the federal court considers the First Amendment challenge.