Activists protest data center development in Boyce, Louisiana
A protest tour called the "AI Data Center Revolt" made a stop in Boyce, Louisiana, demanding stronger regulations and accountability for data center developments. Activists criticized tax breaks and non-disclosure agreements related to projects by companies like Applied Digital and Meta, calling for greater transparency and community control.
A cross-country bus tour, dubbed the "AI Data Center Revolt" by the activist group Humans First, made one of its initial stops in Boyce, Louisiana. Protesters are traveling across America to demand stronger "guardrails" on data center developments, criticizing what they view as a lack of accountability from tech companies and lawmakers.
Local residents and representatives from the group Save My Louisiana joined the protest, calling for greater transparency in negotiations and an end to tax incentives that they believe force taxpayers to foot the bill for data center construction. They specifically cited Applied Digital's project near Boyce and Meta's multi-billion dollar project in Richland Parish as examples of developments they feel lack public oversight due to non-disclosure agreements.
The activists advocate for communities to have the power to stop data center projects if they are unwanted, and to prevent tax evadements and secret deals. Some locals, however, expressed confusion over conflicting information surrounding data center developments, highlighting the need for clearer communication.