US data center protests go national as backlash grows | Y100 WNCY

Opponents of rapid data center expansion held 142 coordinated protests across 42 US states on 18 July 2026, organised by HumansFirst and drawing support from both left and right. Only 14% of Americans surveyed would support a data center in their community for AI projects, signalling broad political backlash against infrastructure buildout. Your data center site is now a political flashpoint in 42 states. The opposition is bipartisan, organised, and will shape 2028 election talk - which means your local zoning board is about to face hard pressure to impose conditions, delays, or outright rejection.