In Birmingham, Alabama, Oxmoor Neighborhood President Madelyn Greene has accused local police of harassment, which she claims is linked to her involvement in a lawsuit against the city and Nebius Group over the construction of a new data center. The allegations were detailed in a letter sent by Greene’s lawyer, Mark Parnell, to City Attorney Nicole King.
Allegations of Retaliation
According to Parnell, Greene was stopped by Birmingham police officers while driving home from church, a route she has taken for over two decades. The letter claims the stop was a form of ‘pretextual harassment’ intended to intimidate Greene following the filing of a class action lawsuit against the city and Nebius Group. The lawsuit challenges the construction of the 300-megawatt BHM01 data center, which has been a point of contention in the community.
During the stop, officers reportedly did not cite any specific traffic violation, and when Greene attempted to record the encounter, the officers left without providing their names or badge numbers. No ticket or warning was issued. Parnell emphasized that Birmingham residents have the right to oppose city projects without facing police intimidation.
Legal and Community Implications
The lawsuit, initiated by Greene and fellow resident David Butler, seeks to halt the data center project, arguing that it violates zoning laws and was improperly approved by the city. The plaintiffs are also seeking damages for loss of property value and enjoyment, and have requested a trial by jury.
The controversy surrounding the BHM01 project has been ongoing, with the city previously imposing a moratorium on data centers larger than 20 megawatts. However, the Nebius project was allowed to proceed, a decision the plaintiffs argue was a discretionary policy choice rather than a legal necessity.
City officials, including Mayor Randall Woodfin, have defended the decision, citing potential legal liabilities if the project were blocked. The lawsuit also highlights concerns over proposed changes to the city’s data center ordinance, which could limit public input on future projects.
As the legal battle unfolds, Greene and her supporters continue to advocate for transparency and community involvement in city development decisions, emphasizing the importance of upholding citizens’ rights to challenge government actions.
Original reporting: BirminghamWatch — read the source article.
