Police arrested a 37-year-old man in Kansas after he allegedly clapped during a city commission meeting to express opposition to a proposed data center, prompting officials to remove him for disruptive conduct.

Lux Claridge, an Emporia High School physics teacher, was detained following repeated warnings from commissioners that attendees would face removal for actions including clapping, snapping, or rude comments. According to local reports, Claridge and others clapped in support of speakers opposing the Flint Hills Digital Campus data center. After commissioners issued a final warning, Claridge continued clapping, leading to his arrest.

Claridge’s wife, Jessica Danford, attended the meeting when her husband was removed. “Seeing them carried out like that was a lot to handle,” Danford said. Friend Caleb Rankin described the arrest as shocking, noting he believed it was “someone used a different name.” Claridge’s brother, David, stated the arrest will likely not hold up legally and is exploring options to recall city officials: “This isn’t going to hold up in court. Lux is going to fight them on that. I’m looking at avenues to get these people recalled. This is insane to me.”

A community member described the incident as leaving residents uneasy, saying: “We are citizens of this community; we have a right to do our constitutionally protected activities, which is exactly what they’re violating at this time… I think we’re all in a state of fear because of what this government’s doing to us.”

Claridge was booked into Lyon County Jail on charges of interference with law enforcement and disorderly conduct. He is due in court in September and plans to plead not guilty. The Emporia Police Department stated it remains committed to “ensuring public meetings are conducted safely and in an orderly manner, while also respecting the rights of all citizens.”

During the meeting, several attendees received verbal warnings for disruptive behavior interrupting proceedings. Claridge was directed to leave but did not comply with officers’ efforts to remove him, requiring physical assistance to exit the venue.