HERMANTOWN, MN — The Hermantown City Council delayed action on the proposed Google data center Monday, October 26, after a large protest disrupted the meeting and police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. No arrests were reported. The city announced that the meeting was recessed for safety reasons and is scheduled to resume Tuesday, October 27, at 7:30 p.m. Monday’s meeting was dedicated to the data center proposal, including a special use permit and associated agreements. The agenda included agreements involving a developer and St. Louis County for infrastructure supporting the project. Opponents arrived before the meeting wearing red shirts associated with Stop the Hermantown Data Center. Supporters wearing green also gathered outside and inside the building. According to WDIO’s reporting, a dispute developed over access to the public-comment signup process. People waiting in the packed lobby complained that they were being prevented from adding their names. Protesters chanted demands to speak and calls to shut down the meeting, continuing for roughly two hours. Police stood at the chamber doors and restricted movement into and out of the room, with limited exceptions. At one point, protesters sat on the lobby floor. The council briefly convened before ending its proceedings without taking the anticipated votes. Police then declared the gathering unlawful and gave attendees ten minutes to leave, according to the reporting. City Councilor Andy Hjelle criticized the disruption in a statement after the meeting. He said residents should be able to disagree respectfully and condemned shouting that prevented a public meeting from proceeding. Stop the Hermantown Data Center argued that officials had not given residents enough time to review the meeting documents. The group also referenced a contempt motion scheduled to be addressed in court Tuesday. The filing represents the group’s legal challenge; no ruling on that motion was independently verified for this article. Rep. Liiz Kozlowski spoke in support of opponents outside the building. Project supporters, including APEX President and CEO Rachel Johnson, described the proposed development as an economic opportunity for Hermantown and the surrounding region. Hermantown Chamber of Commerce President Kim Parmeter read a statement on behalf of the chamber and the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council condemning conduct they said was intended to shut down the meeting. Supporters have pointed to anticipated jobs and a larger tax base; those are projected benefits rather than completed outcomes. In its official notice, the city said early voting would occupy Council Chambers until 7 p.m. Tuesday, when City Hall would close to the public. The chambers were expected to reopen for an orderly arrival shortly before the 7:30 p.m. meeting. This report covers Monday’s disruption and the announced resumption time. It does not report a Tuesday vote or final approval of the data center. Sources: WDIO reporting carried by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS; City of Hermantown meeting announcement and October 26 notice.