Nationwide Protests Erupt Against Data Centers Amid Backlash

WHO:

Yahoo - Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, stated, "They just woke up one day and found out they're going to have this monstrosity in their community, and they don't want it."

Yahoo - Eva Cardona, a 31-year-old activist, described herself as a "political nomad."

Business Insider - Amy Kremer stated, "I think this is the most important fight of our lifetime. This technology could wipe us off the face of the planet."

Business Insider - Eva Cardona, a 31-year-old activist, expressed her desire to take action beyond social media regarding unregulated AI and data center growth.

Yahoo - Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, stated, "They just woke up one day and found out they're going to have this monstrosity in their community, and they don't want it."

Yahoo - Left-leaning Ivan DelSol, 54, is helping lead a protest in California's Imperial County.

Yahoo - Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, stated, "They just woke up one day and found out they're going to have this monstrosity in their community, and they don't want it."

Yahoo - Left-leaning activist Ivan DelSol, 54, is helping lead a protest in California's Imperial County.

Yahoo - Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, stated that the anger against data centers is nonpartisan and compared it to the early days of the Tea Party movement.

Yahoo - Eva Cardona, a 31-year-old activist, expressed her desire to take action beyond social media regarding unregulated AI and data center growth.

Yahoo - Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, criticized Republicans for giving Big Tech a "free pass."

Yahoo - Eva Cardona, a 31-year-old activist, described herself as a "political nomad."

Yahoo - Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, stated that data centers will be a defining issue in November's midterm elections and the 2028 presidential race.

Yahoo - Eva Cardona, a 31-year-old activist, expressed her concerns about unregulated AI and the rapid growth of data centers.

Yahoo - The grassroots group organizing the protests is called HumansFirst, co-founded by Amy Kremer.

Yahoo - Eva Cardona, a 31-year-old first-time activist, is organizing a protest in Texas.

Yahoo - Ivan DelSol, a 54-year-old left-leaning activist, is helping lead a protest in California's Imperial County.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Protests are planned in at least 125 locations across the United States, with 16 in Texas, 11 in Georgia, and 7 each in California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Yahoo - A proposed data center project in California's Imperial County could use 260 million gallons of water per year from the Colorado River.

Business Insider - Protests occurred in at least 125 locations across the United States, with 18 planned in Texas, 11 in Georgia, and 2 in New Jersey, including one in Kenilworth against a $1.8 billion AI data center.

Business Insider - A petition to halt construction of the Kenilworth data center gained over 12,000 signatures.

Yahoo - Protests are set to occur in at least 125 locations across the United States.

Yahoo - A proposed data center project in California's Imperial County could use 260 million gallons of water per year from the Colorado River.

Yahoo - Protests are described as the first coordinated national effort to channel anger at the AI infrastructure expansion that has ramped up over the past year and roiled local politics.

Yahoo - The protests are set to occur in at least 125 locations across the United States.

Yahoo - Protests are described as the first coordinated national effort to channel anger at the AI infrastructure expansion that has ramped up over the past year.

Yahoo - The protests are set to occur in at least 125 locations across the United States.

Yahoo - A proposed data center project in California's Imperial County could use 260 million gallons of water per year from the Colorado River.

Yahoo - Protests are described as the first coordinated national effort against the expansion of AI infrastructure that has intensified over the past year.

Yahoo - A proposed data center project in California's Imperial County could use 260 million gallons of water per year from the Colorado River.

Yahoo - The protests are described as the first coordinated national effort against the expansion of AI infrastructure that has intensified over the past year.

Yahoo - The Data Center Coalition, the industry's association and lobbying group, did not immediately comment on the protests.

Yahoo - The protests are described as the first coordinated national effort against the expansion of AI infrastructure that has intensified over the past year.

Yahoo - Protests against data centers are planned in at least 125 locations across the United States.

Yahoo - A June Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that only one-third of Americans approve of the pace of data center construction in the U.S.

Yahoo - Only 14% of respondents support a data center being built in their community for AI projects.

Yahoo - The protests are described as a coordinated national effort to express anger at the expansion of AI infrastructure.

WHERE:

Yahoo - Protests are set to occur in Texas, Georgia, California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Business Insider - Protests were held in Kenilworth, New Jersey, where residents opposed an incoming data center project.

Yahoo - Texas is on track to have the most protests with 16 planned locations, while Georgia has 11, and California, Florida, and Pennsylvania each have 7.

Yahoo - Protests are set to occur in Texas, Georgia, California, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

Yahoo - Texas is expected to have the most protests, with 16 planned locations.

Yahoo - Georgia has 11 planned protests, while California, Florida, and Pennsylvania each have 7.

WHEN:

Yahoo - Protests are scheduled for Saturday.

WHY:

Yahoo - Organizers want the development process to be transparent, resources and environmental health protected, and a way to hold developers accountable if they do not follow through on promises.

Business Insider - Protesters expressed concerns over the potential impact of data centers on local water supplies and community resources.

Yahoo - Organizers want the development process to be transparent, resources and environmental health protected, community benefits such as the creation of well-paid union jobs, and a way to hold developers accountable if they do not follow through on promises.

Yahoo - Organizers are advocating for community benefits, including the creation of well-paid union jobs and a transparent development process.

Yahoo - Organizers want the development process to be transparent, resources and environmental health protected, and a way to hold developers accountable if they do not follow through on promises.

Yahoo - Organizers are advocating for community benefits, including the creation of well-paid union jobs and a transparent development process.

Yahoo - Protesters are rallying against what HumansFirst calls the "unaccountable" buildout of data centers and an "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

Yahoo - The opposition is fueled by concerns over higher power bills, diversion of water resources, and pollution.

Yahoo - Kremer stated that the anger against data centers is nonpartisan and compared it to the early days of the Tea Party movement.

HOW:

Yahoo - Protesters in Kenilworth used noise makers, colored chalk, and continued to demonstrate despite heavy rain.

Business Insider - Protesters in Kenilworth used noise makers, colored chalk, and continued to demonstrate despite heavy rain.

Yahoo - Protesters are rallying against what HumansFirst calls the "unaccountable" buildout of data centers and an "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

Yahoo - Protesters are rallying against the "unaccountable" buildout of data centers and the "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

Yahoo - The protests are organized by a grassroots group, HumansFirst, which aims for transparency in the development process and accountability for developers.

Yahoo - Organizers are advocating for community benefits, including the creation of well-paid union jobs.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 06:46 UTC)

Protests are set to take place in at least 125 locations across the United States, including 16 in Texas and 11 in Georgia, in response to a proposed data center project in California's Imperial County that could consume 260 million gallons of water annually from the Colorado River. Activists like Amy Kremer and Eva Cardona are voicing concerns about the lack of transparency in the development process, as well as the need for accountability to protect resources and environmental health. Demonstrators in Kenilworth have already begun their efforts, using noise makers and colored chalk to express their opposition, even in the face of heavy rain.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 05:48 UTC)

Protests erupted in at least 125 locations across the United States, including a significant demonstration in Kenilworth, New Jersey, where residents rallied against a $1.8 billion AI data center project that has sparked concerns over its potential impact on local water supplies and community resources. Activists like Amy Kremer and Eva Cardona emphasized the urgency of addressing unregulated AI and data center growth, with Cardona expressing a desire to take action beyond social media. In Kenilworth, protesters utilized noise makers and colored chalk to make their voices heard, continuing their demonstration even in heavy rain, while a petition to halt the construction of the data center has already gathered over 12,000 signatures.

(UPDATED July 19, 2026 02:47 UTC)

Protests are set to take place in at least 125 locations across the United States in response to a proposed data center project in California's Imperial County, which could consume 260 million gallons of water per year from the Colorado River. Leading the charge is Ivan DelSol, a 54-year-old activist, alongside co-founder of HumansFirst, Amy Kremer, who expressed community concerns over the project. Texas is expected to have the highest number of protests with 16 planned locations, while organizers emphasize the need for transparency in the development process, environmental protection, and the creation of well-paid union jobs.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 23:11 UTC)

Protests are set to unfold in at least 125 locations across the United States, marking the first coordinated national effort to express anger over the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure that has stirred local politics. Activists, including Amy Kremer from HumansFirst and Ivan DelSol, are rallying against what they describe as an "unaccountable" buildout of data centers, demanding transparency in the development process and protections for resources and environmental health. With Texas leading the way with 16 planned protests, organizers are advocating for community benefits like well-paid union jobs and accountability for developers who fail to meet their commitments.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 18:11 UTC)

Protests are set to unfold in at least 125 locations across the United States, marking the first coordinated national effort to express anger over the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure. Organizers are pushing for community benefits, including well-paid union jobs and a transparent development process, particularly in response to a proposed data center project in California's Imperial County that could consume 260 million gallons of water annually from the Colorado River. Protesters, supported by the group HumansFirst, are rallying against what they describe as the "unaccountable" buildout of data centers and an "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 16:14 UTC)

Protests are underway as activists rally against the expansion of AI infrastructure, marking the first coordinated national effort of its kind in response to the rapid growth of data centers. Amy Kremer, co-founder of HumansFirst, highlighted that the anger surrounding these developments transcends political lines, while activist Eva Cardona emphasized the need for action beyond social media, particularly concerning a proposed data center project in California's Imperial County that could consume 260 million gallons of water annually from the Colorado River. Organizers are pushing for community benefits, including well-paid union jobs and a transparent development process, as they challenge what they see as an "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 15:15 UTC)

Protests are currently underway across the nation, marking the first coordinated effort against the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, with Texas leading the way with 16 planned locations. Organizers, including activist Eva Cardona, are demanding transparency in the development process, protection of resources and environmental health, and accountability for developers who fail to meet their commitments. Meanwhile, the Data Center Coalition, the industry's lobbying group, has yet to respond to these protests, which are fueled by concerns over what many are calling an "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 14:21 UTC)

Protests are ramping up across the country as activists coordinate a national effort against the expansion of AI infrastructure, with Texas leading the way with 16 planned locations. Organizers, including Amy Kremer and activist Eva Cardona, are advocating for community benefits such as well-paid union jobs and a transparent development process, while expressing concerns about unregulated AI and the rapid growth of data centers. Protesters are rallying against what they describe as the "unaccountable" buildout of these facilities, citing it as an "unacceptable infringement on our liberty."

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 13:21 UTC)

Protests against data centers are set to take place in at least 125 locations across the United States this Saturday, with Texas leading the charge with 16 planned events. The grassroots organization HumansFirst, co-founded by Amy Kremer, is spearheading this coordinated effort, fueled by concerns over rising power bills, water resource diversion, and pollution, as well as a desire for greater transparency and accountability in the development process. Activists like Eva Cardona in Texas and Ivan DelSol in California are among those rallying to voice their opposition, which Kremer describes as a nonpartisan movement reminiscent of the early days of the Tea Party.