Utah Woman Denies Kicking Deputy After Data Center Protest Incident
Aspen Azalea, who was forcefully taken to the ground by a deputy, claims she did not assault law enforcement and fears for her safety.
A Utah woman who was thrown to the ground by a sheriff's deputy during a contentious public meeting has denied assaulting the officer, asserting she feared for her teeth and jaw during the altercation. Aspen Azalea was among concerned residents protesting a proposed data center ordinance at a Utah County Commission meeting Tuesday evening in Provo.
The situation escalated after the commission voted to move forward with the ordinance without allowing public comment. Azalea stated that she yelled "moratorium" three times amidst a chaotic and emotional crowd.
According to Azalea, she and a friend were singled out and she was escorted from the room. Dramatic footage captured the moment a Utah County Sheriff's Deputy, identified as Phillip Crawford, slammed Azalea to the ground. She told Fox 13 that the impact made her believe her teeth had been dislodged and that her jaw was injured.
The sheriff's office claims Azalea kicked Deputy Crawford in the groin, but she adamantly denies this. "No, I never kicked him. I absolutely didn't kick him," she told the outlet. Azalea believes she was the injured party, stating that as Crawford controlled her hands, the sound heard in the video was her chin hitting the ground. She expressed fear that the incident could have been more severe, noting the proximity of a bench.
Following the incident, Azalea was handcuffed and escorted out by deputies. She is now facing misdemeanor charges for assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and disrupting a meeting. Azalea contends that Crawford should face repercussions and believes he should be fired.
A Change.org petition has been launched demanding an investigation into alleged excessive force used by Crawford, gathering over 430 signatures by Thursday afternoon. Supporters of Azalea also demonstrated at the Utah State Capitol on Wednesday, calling for the charges against her to be dropped.
The Utah County Sheriff's Office released a statement acknowledging the event, emphasizing that while the right to speak is protected, order must be maintained. The agency stated that violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and that the circumstances would be addressed through the legal process.
