Communities across Arkansas are expected to participate in a nationwide day of peaceful protests on Saturday, July 18th, opposing the construction and expansion of artificial intelligence data centers.
The demonstrations are being organized as part of a national effort led by Humans First, a conservative advocacy organization that says the events are intended to encourage local, state and federal officials to take action on issues related to AI data centers, including their environmental impact, public infrastructure demands and the use of taxpayer incentives.
According to the organization’s event listings, three protests are currently scheduled in Arkansas.
The protest representing the Little Rock area will take place in Wrightsville, just south of Little Rock, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 12512 Highway 365. Organizers say residents are raising concerns about two proposed data centers planned within several miles of one another. The event is being hosted by Wrightsville Area Residents for Responsible Planning.
A second protest is planned in Royal, with participants gathering at the Garland County Courthouse in Hot Springs.
Event organizers have also listed a protest in Malvern, although additional details had not been released as of publication. Organizers have indicated additional details for the Malvern event may be released before Saturday’s demonstrations.
Nationwide, Humans First reported that approximately 120 demonstrations across 37 states are planned for Saturday. The organization has encouraged participants to conduct peaceful demonstrations and states that the events are intended to remain nonviolent.
According to Humans First, organizers are calling attention to concerns surrounding AI data centers, including electrical demand, water consumption, tax incentives, potential increases in utility costs and the broader impact of artificial intelligence on local communities and employment.
The Arkansas demonstrations are among dozens planned across the country, with the largest concentrations of protests scheduled in states including Texas, Florida, California and Georgia.
