At Least 125 U.S. Locations Rally Against AI Data Center Expansion on July 18

According to Reuters, at least 125 locations across the U.S. held simultaneous protests on Saturday, July 18, opposing uncontrolled expansion of AI data centers. The demonstrations, organized by the grassroots group Humans First, centered on concerns that data center construction has driven up electricity costs, diverted water resources, and worsened environmental pollution.

A Reuters poll found only 33% of respondents view rapid data center expansion as beneficial overall, with just 14% supporting construction in their own communities.