Nationwide AI Data Center Revolt Tour Stops in Boyce, Louisiana
A nationwide "AI Data Center Revolt" tour, organized by Humans First, made a stop in Boyce, Louisiana, drawing local residents and activists. The protest demanded stronger regulations for data center development, accountability from tech companies and lawmakers, and transparency regarding tax incentives. Speakers emphasized that taxpayers should not bear the financial burden of data center build-outs and that communities should have a say in development.
The "AI Data Center Revolt" tour, spearheaded by the activist group Humans First, arrived in Boyce, Louisiana, on September 12, as part of a 34-stop cross-country campaign. The protest, which included local residents and representatives from groups like Save My Louisiana, calls for increased oversight on data center construction across the United States.
Organizers and speakers, including Gary Musgrove of Save My Louisiana, voiced concerns over unanswered questions from politicians and local officials regarding data center developments. The group's core demands include greater accountability from major tech companies and lawmakers, ensuring taxpayers are not burdened with the costs associated with data center projects, and promoting transparency by condemning the use of non-disclosure agreements in negotiations. They cited Applied Digital's data center near Boyce and Meta's project in Richland Parish as examples where transparency and community input are lacking.
Humans First representatives emphasized that communities should have the power to approve or reject data center projects, and that tax incentives should never be granted without public awareness. The movement aims to pressure lawmakers to enact "stronger guardrails" to protect American communities from what they describe as a build-out conducted at the expense of local populations.