(PENSACOLA) --- The protest against an AI Data Center spilled off the sidewalk at the corner of Garden and Palafox.
Young, old, Democrat, Republican, Socialist, Independent, Libertarian all chanted "People over Profit,” among the bucket drums and homemade signs and posters.
(Photo: Pepper McQuiffins)
The June 11 gathering, organized by If Not Us, the Escambia chapter of Indivisible, also drew local candidates, moms and historians.
The message from every speaker was the same: This is not economic development.
‘We Know This Story’: Pensacola’s History of Extraction
Joe Vinson, a Pensacola historian running for County Commission District 4, No Party Affiliation, opened with a lesson the crowd did not love to hear.
(YouTube video of Vinson speech)
“Almost all industries that came into Pensacola have done so via extraction," Vinson said. "At the expense of the community, the environment, in service of a select few who reap the profits and leave the rest of us to deal with the aftermath.”
Vinson said he supports economic development but drew a hard line.
“The point of economic development is to create jobs in our community," Vinson said. "That’s just not what AI is there to do."
Rather, AI's goal is "to take our jobs," according to Vinson, adding, "We’ve seen over the past few years the advent of AI is unsustainable”
Water Quality Takes Center Stage
Gay Valimont, a community member running for Florida’s 1st Congressional District as a Democrat, pointed to Escambia’s aquifers.
“Our water quality is poor due to the runoff from military bases," Valimont said.
"We can just buy bottled water, but this is the water we cook, clean, and bathe in," Valimont said.
(YouTube video of Valimont speech)
That theme was echoed by Gloria Horning, an Independent running for Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, District 2.
Horning brought forth numbers.
“The level of human waste at Johnson Beach is at 600," Horning said. "The highest it should be is 70.”
Horning explained that the information AI companies gather uses local water to cool their servers in the process.
"We don’t need that information," Horning said.
The Cost to Working Families
Brandy John, a mom and community member who wrote a protest petition demanding that no data centers be built in Escambia, made it visceral.
“There are stillborn cows in areas where data centers are built," John said, adding that the data centers also contaminate water and affect water pressure. "Cows not producing milk.”
Francesca Yabrian, a Democrat running for Florida House of Representatives District 1, said she heard the same thing while door-knocking.
“I heard a resounding no when I even mentioned data centers to the community," Yabrian said. "Constituents are already seeing extreme price hikes in their water bills and electric bills.”
Candidates Call for "People Over Profit"
Trei McMullen, the Republican candidate for Florida State Representative District 2, attended the May 30 sign-making party hosted by If Not Us.
At the protest, he looked to the future, discussing the children's future and prioritizing people over profit.
“When Florida leads, America follows, and we have got to start paying attention to what the community wants, not necessarily where the profitability lies," McMullen said.
(Photo: Pepper McQuiffins)
Larry Downs Jr., who announced he plans to run for County Commission District 1 in 2028 as a Libertarian, reframed the debate entirely.
“Data centers are data and control centers," Downs said. "Anybody that wants to be under constant surveillance deserves no liberty, and they will get none of that with these corporations monetizing our data.”
Jasmine Brown, a Socialist running for mayor, talked about connecting with the community and organizations to fight together on these issues and hold our officials accountable. She encouraged people to attend Pensacola City Council and Escambia County Commission meetings.
“Who are they if they’re not serving the people?" Brown asked.
The candidate continued, "We have seen communities win their fights against data centers by organizing and being clear in their demands."
"We know that we are stronger when we are together," Brown said.
A Table, a Dog, and a Sense of Community
The protest energy was not just angry, but rather communal. A table was set up for people to make their own signs. The bucket drums kept time as speaker after speaker called on the crowd to contact their representatives.
(Photo: Pepper McQuiffins)
Diversity was the point, and it was made. Retirees stood next to college students, Republicans next to Democrats, with one attendee even bringing their dog.
There was an overwhelming sense that this was not a one-night event, and the fight would go on.
As the event organizer, Renee puts it, "action is the antithesis of despair."
OpGov.News captured each speaker, available on YouTube by clicking the following links:
What’s Next
A petition Brandy John composed is still circulating, open for all locals to sign.
Organizers say they’ll be at 221 Palafox Street on June 17 for the 4:30 Escambia County Board of Commissioners' meeting Gary Sansing Public Forum.
Their demand is simple: ban data centers in Escambia County.
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