“We didn’t vote for this. We weren’t even asked.”
These words, from Pennsylvania Stands Up leader Frank Arcoleo, about big data’s plans to build energy-devouring AI server farms in his hometown of Lancaster without the approval of the people who live there, describe so much of what’s happening around us right now.
“When democratic decision-making is removed, when those of us who live here no longer have a say, it leads to a decline in accountability, the erosion of our constitutional rights, increased economic and social instability, and the further concentration of power, “ writes Arcoleo.
From the masked men taking away our neighbors to the erosion of our voting rights, the armed occupation of our cities, the pollution of our air and water and the insatiable pursuit of corporate profits, there’s a lot to feel upset about. Like Frank, most of us want to know what we can do about it.
The AI project’s developers thought they could sidestep community input by persuading city administrators, in the middle of the night, to classify their server farms as “warehouses” when they filed their permits.
But they met their match in Arcoleo, who has filed an appeal to block the permits.
Just like Frank, People’s Action members and member groups all across the country are stepping up to meet the unprecedented challenges we face. In Illinois and Massachusetts, they’re organizing rapid response teams to defend our immigrant neighbors. In Chicago they’re organizing to stop the closure of safety-net hospitals and in Missouri, they’re organizing to stop gerrymandered voting maps from taking effect and to defend voters’ right to make their voices heard through ballot initiatives.
And all across the country – in West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and New York – People’s Action members came together with thousands more to say it’s time to Make Billionaires Pay! for the harms they are causing to our environment.
“”Rather than listening and respecting the will of the people, some politicians are rigging the rules to favor wealthy special interests and trick voters into giving up our power,” says Caitlyn Adams from Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action. “It’s up to us to come together and reject this on the ballot and show these politicians that the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”
Indeed, Caitlyn, it is up to us. And like Frank and you, we are up to the challenge.
What can we do? Resist. Then organize, with friends old and new, to both defeat this dark moment and lay the foundation for a better future.
In coming months, we will be tested as never before. And we will stand together as never before. Juntos podemos.
Together we can, and together we will.
in solidarity,
Amanda Weaver
Lead Story
Make Billionaires Pay! in Michigan, West Virginia, Ohio and New York
All across the country, People’s Action members organized protests to Make Billionaires Pay! for the harm their unbridled pursuit of profits is causing to our environment. Read more
Organizing Stories
VOCAL-TX Tells Sen. Cornyn “Housing Cuts Kill!” In Austin
VOCAL-TX members gathered at the Austin offices of U.S. Senator John Cornyn to protest his support for President Trump’s plans to cut $33.6 billion from the budget of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Read more
ONE Northside Organizes to Stop Closure of Safety Net Hospital
ONE Northside members rallied to stop the closure of Weiss Memorial Hospital, one of the few safety net hospitals which is available to their community on Chicago’s far northside. Read more
MOJwJ Voter Action Rallies to Stop Gerrymandered Voting Maps in Missouri
MOJwJ Voter Action and grassroots allies are partnering with People Not Politicians to lead an effort to stop Missouri’s GOP lawmakers from redrawing congressional district maps to secure permanent majorities for Republicans. Read more
“Burque Over Billionaires!” Southwest Organizing Revival in Albuquerque
People’s Action’s southwest affiliates took part in a regional gathering to network with Organizing Revival partners about the rise of authoritarianism. Read more
PAI Organizers Dive Deep Into Building Community Power
Over a hundred and forty participants took the plunge into community organizing through two People’s Action Institute trainings – the Fundamentals of Organizing course, which features a revamped virtual curriculum, and an in-person Training For Trainers in Denver. Read More
Recent Media
READ: “AI Is a Dangerous Billionaire Boondoggle”
Kendra Kay, a small business owner and community advocate from Amarillo, Texas, explains why building a $300-billion, nuclear-powered AI data center down the road from her home is a very bad idea.
READ: Amazon Data Centers Are Not an Investment in Us
Carrie Santoro from Pennsylvania Stands Up explains to the Philadelphia Enquirer why she opposes Amazon’s plans to build two new massive data centers in her state.
