Man kicked out, arrested at data center meeting in Hobart

A meeting concerning proposed data centers in Hobart, Indiana, escalated when a man, Pablo Bayan, was arrested and cited for criminal trespassing. Bayan states he was speaking against the proposed data center, expressing worries about potential job losses and the city's rapid progression on the project. He also voiced concerns for his community in Marville. According to Bayan, he refused to state his name, identifying himself only as a "concerned citizen," which led the city council to prevent him from speaking. Video footage shows officers physically removing Bayan, who questioned if he was being detained or arrested. An officer is heard accusing him of resisting before he was pushed over a railing and handcuffed. Bayan believes the city council and police mishandled the situation, asserting they attempted to silence him due to his opposition to the data center. He expressed a desire to send a message to the community that citizens "are not going to be bullied by these elected officials and corporations and Amazon and and these developers." The reporter, Brett Buganski, indicated that standard protocol at city council meetings often requires attendees to provide their name and address, although this is not an outright state statute. Bayan plans to pursue legal action against the city of Hobart. FOX 32 Chicago has reached out to Hobart police, the mayor, and their legal department for comment.