Once again, the Emporia City Commission’s regular set of meetings Wednesday morning was preceded by a demonstration just a stone’s throw away from the front doors of William L. White Auditorium, declaring support for city leadership and staff.
Emporians For Progress organizer Sonia Hodges made that point clear to KVOE News during an interview at Wednesday’s demonstration, saying those in attendance were not advocating for data centers or any matters related to it; they were instead advocating for supporting city leaders amid a recent string of reported threats and comments directed at them and city staff.
Hodges further stated the group of citizens is neither pro nor anti data center, but rather “pro learning about it.”
This is the second demonstration organized by Emporians For Progress and one of many that have taken place in recent months by those on both sides of the Flint Hills Digital Campus debate that has been ongoing since early June. The last demonstration by Emporians for Progress coincided with a separate demonstration by Emporia Neighbors United, which led to an encounter documented on social media, with tempers flaring on both sides, though no physical contact occurred.
At one time, Emporians for Progress were referred to as “Paid agitators” and accused of developing the demonstration at the behest of others. KVOE News asked Hodges for a comment on that accusation; her response:
Wednesday’s demonstration began just before 10 am and concluded at 11 am when the Emporia City Commission virtually convened its regularly scheduled meeting. On that agenda, once again, were matters related to the ongoing data center debate, including a recent petition to prohibit the installation and operation of battery energy storage systems within the Emporia City limits.
We have details from Wednesday’s meeting available here. A YouTube Short from Wednesday’s demonstration can be found here.
