Pennsylvania groups rally in Harrisburg against data centers and deportation

About 150 Pennsylvanians, representing roughly 15 advocacy groups, gathered at the Capitol in Harrisburg for a rally and lobby day. The event focused on protesting the growing influence of the tech industry, particularly its expansion of data centers for artificial intelligence, and urged legislators to enact policies that safeguard residents and the environment. Mary Collier from Pennsylvania Stands Up stated that the groups are meeting with lawmakers to advocate for policies aimed at protecting residents, affordability, and natural resources. Collier also mentioned a new report detailing Big Tech's increasing presence in Pennsylvania and its impact on local communities. A key highlight of the lobby day was the announcement that State Senator Katie Muth intends to introduce a "Moratorium on Construction of New Data Centers" bill. This proposed legislation seeks to establish a statewide three-year moratorium on hyperscale data center development, aiming to protect local communities from corporate exploitation.