Freedom Dies When Legitimate Dissent Is Branded ‘Anti-Tech Extremism’

Over the past year, dozens of people have been silenced or arrested for criticizing data centers in public forums. This is entirely un-American.

Janet Levy | August 11, 2026

Data centers are not popular neighbors with most Americans: a March Gallup survey found that 70% of respondents were NIMBY on the issue. Opposition is not confined to polls. There have been widespread protests, and local and state governments have imposed moratoriums. Political resistance is also growing. The backlash is now broadening to question cloud computing and AI per se, which rely on data centers as infrastructure.

What is disconcerting, however, is that over the past year, dozens of people have been silenced or arrested for criticizing data centers in public forums. American political life has been shaped by criticism, dissent, and protest, and the First Amendment guarantees all citizens the right to speak out, assemble, and petition the government. Therefore, divergence of opinion—which is not necessarily anti-government or anti-America—should be accommodated, not suppressed.

Consider a group like Humans First, which has organized 142 protests in 42 states so far. In a letter signed by 61 people, the group has urged President Donald Trump to issue an executive order requiring the vetting of AI models and curbing corporate authority to deploy unvetted new technology. At the same time, it calls for an ‘America First approach to AI’ that would give the U.S. a technological lead over China.

The group merely wants this: while promoting AI, the government must protect American jobs, preserve liberty, and address citizens’ concerns about air, water, and noise pollution; land, water, and energy use; and transparency and national security. The same could be said of most people protesting data centers. Yet they are being detained on frivolous grounds, in a manner that is both undemocratic and un-American.

In February, Darren Blanchard, a farmer opposed to Beale Infrastructure’s Project Mustang data center complex planned for 300 acres near Claremore, OK, appeared at a packed city council........

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