_WHAT’S HAPPENING_

A network of left-wing activist groups is mobilizing opposition to AI data center construction across the United States, framing the facilities as environmental threats and tools of surveillance.

The movement spans Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) chapters, anti-ICE organizations, and environmental justice groups, upending one of President Trump’s biggest priorities as America seeks to maintain its technological advantage over the rest of the world.

Follow the full story: AI data centers: claims vs. facts

_THE FACTS_

  • Left-wing activists have blocked or delayed $130 billion in data center projects since May 2024.

  • The Heinz Endowments bankrolled Pennsylvania activist group Protect PT with $400,000 in 2024.

  • 155 local moratoriums on data center construction are already in place, with another 127 proposed across 40 states.

  • DSA member Astra Taylor called the anti-data-center movement "one of the biggest political opportunities that I've personally ever seen."

  • New York state's data center moratorium could raise AI costs to $500-$600 per month for residents, according to industry figures.

  • OpenAI documented Chinese-linked accounts using ChatGPT to fuel hysteria over data center water and energy use.

  • China-based communist billionaire Neville Roy Singham has directly funded much of the organized resistance.

  • Conservative activist Amy Kremer's "Humans First" anti-data-center protests were quietly organized in part by Green Party members and progressive activists.

  • Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) says "the CCP is thrilled with data center moratoriums" and warned against "misinformation stunting our nation's ability to lead on AI."

_OUR TAKE_

The fact that the left-wing anti-data-center movement has already delayed or blocked $130 billion in projects is a serious problem as China races ahead in AI development.

As we’ve covered in Upward News previously, there are legitimate concerns that data centers could disrupt local communities and the environment. But to progress ahead in the new industrial revolution — which we now find ourselves in with the launch of ubiquitous AI — it requires massive amounts of power.

Shooting ourselves in the foot is not the answer, especially by Chinese Communist funded billionaires and leftists.

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Laney B3 months ago

I was emotionally swayed by all the anti-data center rhetoric but then I heard the communist Singham and CodePink (his wife) were Financing the movement. And the American left has taken up the cause. That in itself has caused me to rethink. Honestly, I don't know where to go to get the Truth about data centers.

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Jennifer Vaughn3 months ago

Same here

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Michael H.3 months ago

I believe that many of the leftists in America protesting ANYTHING are only doing so to follow the crowd. They are fed just enough false information to use to justify their protests. But have no REAL or IN DEPTH understanding of issues. Of course the CCP loves their blind devotion to "the cause."

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Fred Scott3 months ago

YES, the DSA leftists are the modern-day useful idiots of the Marxist movement in our country.

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Jim Powers3 months ago

The CCP wants nothing more than to surpass the US. This moratorium nonsense gives them exactly what they want. That's why they are funding the protests and hysteria. As far as the left is concerned, they want anything that is anti-American.

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

Yes! That was a Big part of the Agenda of the Communist Party! Also whoever Controls AI Controls the World! We need too be in control of this and not letting AI Control US! People have become too Complacent and also Fat and Happy in letting this AI do the thinking for them!

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Michael Raab3 months ago

Yes = while there is a need to protect residential areas and improve the electrical grid and water usage concerns, these can be addressed without blindly blocking construction.

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Stefan Cameron3 months ago

Definitely serves China's interests for world domination. The Left, though, I don't think they really care more than sticking it to anyone who wants to see America succeed, no matter what the cause du jour is.

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Dan Mondy 3 months ago

I keep chanting the same mantra- GET RID OF “NGO’S and put federal guardrail's on special interest groups

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Susan Kurzman3 months ago

"Does opposing data centers serve China's and the Left’s interests?" Yes. Limiting innovation in any arena helps destroy America.

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

Also what the Communist Ledt wants is too Delete History and re-build Everything in there Satanic Sick Mind! Just like the saying of the World Economic Forum with the Decomposing Klaus Schwab:"You Will Own Nothing and Be Happy"! Also goes down the rabbit hole of Transhumanism! All interconnected! One Big Club and We Ain't In It!!

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Jim Harmon3 months ago

Does the sun come up in the east? President Trump is pushing our dominance in AI and openly discusses China as our biggest challenge. So, Singham is open about his support for China's winning the AI war. There is obviously merit on both sides of the data center argument, but America knows how to achieve the best solutions for a major challenge. We'll figure it out, if we don't have to fight radical judges to do it.

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Mike Tucker3 months ago

We need to build data centers, solar and wind farms, nuclear power plants and keep coal going until we absolutely no longer need it, to stay ahead of the technology war with China. Next to the DSA and Radical Islam, China is our biggest threat. They have been for years. This is another open-your-eyes moment.

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Callie Marie3 months ago

This sh*t just makes me so angry. I want to shake these people who fall for emotional blackmail without taking a step back. I don’t know about you all but the thought of the empire collapsing and China taking charge with Islamic help is terrifying. I’ll deal with woke dummies before I deal or allow communism and Islamists to hurt my country.

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Steve Fredricks 3 months ago

Absolutely! We truly are shooting ourselves in the foot. We cannot allow the chicoms to get ahead of us on AI

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

These Elites are always Beta Testeing Everything before it goes live on a Grand Scale. I believe that the riots will happen after the Mid-Terms inside the Blue Cities. Maybe even a Cyber Attack if these Freaks how People get an itch up there Ass!

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Allen Mason3 months ago

Given that the left and the communist party funding are behind the protests is all you have to know that building them is a good idea. What is pathetic is the fact that ordinary people without any idea or agenda join these idiots in protest. What is just as bad is the media recognizing their activities

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Jim Ahern3 months ago

At it's heart the likes of China and Russia are equivalent to a jealous/envious neighbor or "friend" who will do anything and everything to undermine you while smiling to your face at the same time. I'd like to think Trump and Team truly realize that?? So of course it serves these "frenimies" interests. The rectifying of the situation is quite simple in reality as are most issues in this day and age. You go after those funding and organizing these little deviant entities and groups. You cut the funding by declaring these parasites like (Soros and Singham) working against the welfare and security of America and domestically you hold those entities and individuals (ex. Code Pink, DSA, Heinz, Piker, Taylor, etc.) to the fire and make examples of what happens those that go against the basic (Foundations, Principles, National Security) and sow the seeds of Division. And you go at these entities full bore, no bs half measures as has been the problem in this country far to long..

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

The Cover Up is what gets these Village Idiots in the End! Fauci aka.. Doctor Mengola the Head Needle Nazi!! In which Communist China had a Deep Part in Everything with the Shutdown of the World!

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Tracey Powers 3 months ago

Sure sounds like it. The media won't publish the fact that there's now a law that the data centers must pay for the extra power they consume and I believe it includes strengthening the power grid as well.

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

Also look at Mush Mouth Mitch McConnell and who He is Married to the Granddaughter of a Communist Shipping Mogul! One of many examples.

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

Also another one is Crotchrot Crockett who was raised in a Wealthy Suburb of Missouri and lives off of Mommy and Daddy's Money! Would not be anything without that! Bunch of Psychotic Hypocrites!

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

Then We have the Ultimate one Greasy Gavin Newscum who with the help of the P.O.S. Mayor of Los Angeles DESTROY a Good Bulk of California! Also a Minon and a Stooge for the Communist Party!

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Roger Kirkpatrick3 months ago

Seems pretty clear that foreign players and their reasons are afoot. Here in dem-run MI, the governor’s husband is becoming a millionaire by promoting them, strangely enough.

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steve Ferrand3 months ago

The list goes on and on on these Installed Freakshow Morons all the way up too Minnesota too Tampon Tim! All of these People need too be tried for Treason in a Court if We The People Win the Mid-Terms and get rid of the Corrupt Judges that were Installed By Barry Sotoro aka.. Barak Insane Obama among others!

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Sherry K3 months ago

China has no concern for the impact data centers have on their people. How can we compete with that? I wish I could access facts regarding the impacts of these centers. Do they need to be close to populations or can they be in sparsely populated areas?