Protests erupt at Hermantown City Council meeting Monday night

7:40 PM UPDATE: According to our crew on scene, the protests at the Hermantown City Council meeting Monday night have not let up.

The council meeting scheduled for 6:30pm Monday night has not begun as of the time of this update.

Councilors have still not been seated in the council chambers.

Check back for further updates.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Tensions ran high at the Hermantown City Council meeting Monday night, erupting in protests that prompted a police presence.

Our crew on scene says that opponents of the proposed Hermantown Google data center have been chanting, “Let us speak” for over ten minutes.

Hermantown city leaders are set to vote Monday night on a series of agreements that could clear the way for Google to build a data center in the city, one day before a court hearing involving allegations that the city violated notice requirements.

If the data center permitting is approved tonight, Google still needs permits from other agencies before construction can begin. The company anticipates construction will start next year.

Some protestors stood with arms interlocked while police blocked entry into the council chambers.

Protesters have gathered outside City Hall numerous times since the data center was first proposed. Many expressed concern over what they described as secrecy from the city, along with environmental concerns they believe have not been addressed.

None of the councilors are out in council chambers.

This is an active situation and we will provide updates as they become available.

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