A councilmember backed a data center project. Then 13 bullets and a 'No Data Centers' note hit his home

Indianapolis City-County Councilmember Ron Gibson's home was targeted in an apparent act of political violence, with 13 bullets striking his residence and a note reading "No Data Centers" left on his doorstep. The incident occurred shortly after Gibson publicly supported a proposed $500 million, 14-acre data center project by LA-based developer Metrobloks in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission had approved a rezoning petition for the project in a 6-2 vote on April 1, despite facing significant opposition from community leaders and clergy members. Opponents cited concerns over environmental pollution, including energy and water consumption, noise, and the potential for increased energy costs. Gibson, while not on the commission, had voiced his support as the project falls within his district. This act of violence is reflective of a broader, intensifying backlash across the U.S. against AI infrastructure development, with communities pushing back against data center projects due to their substantial demands for energy and water, noise generation, and land use. Examples of such community complaints have been reported in states like Arizona, Mississippi, Virginia, and Texas, with researchers warning of potential environmental impacts like "heat islands." The article also noted a general increase in political violence and a growing negative sentiment towards AI among registered voters nationwide.