# Justin Pearson banned from Memphis city council over data center protest

> Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson banned from city council after protesting data center moratorium vote.
- Title: Justin Pearson banned from Memphis city council over data…
- Summary: Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson banned from city council after protesting data center moratorium vote. Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson was banned from Memphis…
- Keywords: justin pearson, memphis, tennessee house, data center moratorium, first amendment, el on musk, xai, gas turbines, city council, Justin, Pearson, banned
- Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/10/xai-data-center-ban-justin-pearson-memphis-tennessee-house-ban-pollution
- Author: Sophie Hurwitz
- Published: 2026-10-16T15:43:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: justin pearson, memphis, tennessee house, data center moratorium, first amendment, el on musk, xai, gas turbines, city council
## Justin Pearson banned from city council
Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson was banned from Memphis city council meetings after protesting delays to a data center moratorium vote.
## Pearson files suit against city council
Pearson filed suit claiming the two-month ban violates his first amendment rights to free expression.
## Pearson's protest history
Pearson was removed from office in 2023 for violating decorum rules after co-leading a gun reform protest.
## Data center pollution concerns
Residents near xAI's Memphis data centers report poor air quality and constant noise from gas turbines.
## City council meeting protest
About 200 people attended a protest where the public comment period was canceled and police removed attendees.
## Pearson's campaign focus
Pearson has made opposition to Elon Musk's data centers a cornerstone of his congressional campaign.
## Data center backlash
Opposition to data centers is nearly as high among Republicans as Democrats, with Pearson targeting rural, white voters in his district.
## Key takeaway

Tennessee Rep. Justin Pearson was banned from Memphis city council meetings for protesting delays to a data center moratorium, claiming the ban violates his first amendment rights.