Residents cited after physical altercation over data center discussion in Utah County meeting
A protest over a newly adopted Utah County data center approval process ended with one woman arrested and two others cited after a physical altercation with sheriff's deputies. Protester Aspen Azalea alleges excessive force and a concussion, while the Sheriff's Office says she struck a deputy and resisted removal from the meeting.
A Utah County Planning Commission meeting about a newly adopted ordinance governing the approval or denial of data centers on unincorporated land ended in a confrontation between protesters and law enforcement. Protester Aspen Azalea was arrested on allegations including assaulting a peace officer, disrupting a meeting and interfering with police; two other participants received citations.
Azalea said she suffered a concussion when deputies removed her from the meeting, while the Utah County Sheriff's Office said she struck a deputy and resisted efforts to remove her. Sheriff Mike Smith said residents have a constitutional right to oppose data center developments and criticize government decisions, but public meetings must remain orderly and violence or disruption can lead to enforcement action.