The residents of Monterey Park (California) organized a successful campaign against the construction of a data center

The residents of Monterey Park, California, have mobilized against the proposal to build a massive data center, gathering nearly 5,000 signatures in an intense campaign. The No Data Center Monterey Park organization, along with the racial justice group San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action, has organized events and distributed materials in multiple languages to reach the diverse community. In just six weeks, they obtained a 45-day moratorium on construction and a promise to explore a permanent ban. This movement has inspired protests against data centers across the country, with communities halting projects worth $98 billion. Although data centers are essential for the operation of digital services, they consume enormous resources and pollute. In Indiana, for example, communities have come together to block numerous projects, and in Virginia, local government has begun to regulate energy costs for technology companies. In Monterey Park, concerns focus on the economic, environmental, and public health impacts. The No Data Center Monterey Park organization continues to mobilize the community, gathering signatures and participating in local council meetings, while preparing for a possible voter decision in November. "We have won a victory, but there is still much work to do," said Steven Kung, co-founder of the organization.