Students walk out to protest AI, Sen. Heinrich’s bill over environmental concerns
News ClipThe Daily Lobo·Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, NM·11/2/2026
University of New Mexico students in Albuquerque walked out and marched to protest AI data center development, citing environmental and community impacts and demanding greater transparency in the university's AI governance. Organizers also criticized Sen. Martin Heinrich's newly introduced Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, arguing it could weaken environmental protections and accelerate data center development.
oppositionenvironmentalgovernment
Gov: University of New Mexico, U.S. Senate, Office of Sen. Martin Heinrich
“We sincerely appreciate students raising concerns about AI’s environmental and community impacts, ethical use, transparency, and public accountability,” the statement reads. “Currently, UNM’s AI Steering Committee is conducting listening sessions with students, faculty and staff to inform recommendations for AI governance and institutional practices.” Students gathered outside Scholes Hall during a walkout on Tuesday to protest artificial intelligence data center development and demand transparency and inclusion in the University of New Mexico’s AI governance before marching across campus and taking to the street for a two-mile march to Sen. Martin Heinrich’s office.
Organizers from Youth United for Climate Crisis Action criticized Heinrich’s newly-introduced Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act for its potential to loosen environmental protections and fast-track data center development.
Protesters chanted “Hey hey ho ho, Project Jupiter has got to go,” and “Martin Heinrich we know you, you’re a sellout through and through,” among others, during the march. ;