Protesters marching along Capitol Avenue towards the Governor's mansion. Photo: John Grady

Capitol Data Center Fury Boils Over Into Jefferson City Streets

John Grady Sep 17, 2026

By John Grady

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — More than 200 Missourians opposed to data centers filled the Capitol rotunda on Sept. 16 for what organizers called the People's Hearing on A.I. Data Centers, demanding a statewide moratorium.

The protest started at 1 p.m. as the General Assembly convened its veto session, though no data center legislation is before lawmakers.

The Missouri Workers Center, the Missouri Rural Crisis Center and NOMO Dirty Data Centers organized the event, objecting to projects negotiated behind nondisclosure agreements and to tax abatements for “trillion dollar companies.”

A wide-angle view from inside the crowd in the Missouri Capitol rotunda, under the painted dome and murals. A woman in the foreground wears a red T-shirt reading "No Billionaires in Our Backyards." Protesters in red shirts line the grand staircase and balconies beneath red banners, including "AI Ain't It," "Workers Deserve More," "Reject Kehoe's Con-omy" and "No Mo Dirty Data Centers." A speaker stands at a podium at the foot of the stairs. — Hundreds Pack Missouri Capitol Rotunda for People's Hearing on A.I. Data Centers

Gov. Mike Kehoe has welcomed data centers, including the Google and Amazon projects in Montgomery County.

Several counties have passed temporary moratoriums.

Asked about the cost of AI data centers, Tammy Langley Hoffmann of Montgomery County said, "Only what makes Montgomery County, Montgomery County ... Changed. Forever."

Rep. Colin Wellenkamp (R-District 105) said in a handout that “Missourians are increasingly worried about an overextended AI economy.”

Anna Farrar, with the Missouri Workers Center, said, "I am against the way they are coming in, there might be a place for them, and it is worth a conversation being had."

Organizers and farmers gave speeches that rallied the crowd into a rancorous uproar against Governor Kehoe's welcome of data centers.

Seen from above, a farmer in a red shirt speaks at a podium bearing the Missouri state seal on a stage in the Capitol rotunda, while a man and a woman sit behind him holding papers. Red and white banners hang overhead, reading "Affordable Energy Now," "Reject Kehoe's Econ-omy," "Let the Welfare of the People Be the Supreme Law of the Land," "Workers Deserve More" and "AI Ain't It." Hand-painted signs shaped like the state of Missouri line the front of the stage, reading "Earth Over AI," "People Over AI," "Farmers Over AI," "Show Me A Moratorium," "Land Over AI" and "Rivers Over AI." A Missouri Workers Center banner is held at left beside an American flag. — Farmer Addresses the People's Hearing on A.I. Data Centers

As the fervor grew, demonstrators took to the streets around the Capitol with signs and banners.

A nearly quarter-mile-long procession left the Capitol, heading straight for the Governor's Mansion. The lead banner, reading ‘Show Me A Moratorium,’ stretched across all lanes of Capitol Avenue.

Police estimated about 150 demonstrators were in the roadway.

The crowd reached the Governor's Mansion chanting, "Kehoe, you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side!"

According to Capitol Police, the protesters had permits for the Capitol building and sidewalks but were not supposed to be occupying and blocking the streets, where Jefferson City has jurisdiction.

Shortly after, Jefferson City police arrested the lead protester, a 31-year-old Kansas City man leading chants of “Billionaires don’t need a tax break” through a megaphone at the intersection of Madison and Capitol.

A Jefferson City police officer escorts a man in a green cap, red T-shirt and yellow safety vest along a brick sidewalk during a data center protest. A woman in a red shirt reaches toward them from the street, and a young woman in a dark hoodie steps forward. A camera operator films the arrest while a man in an orange safety vest watches beside a red construction fence. — Jefferson City Police Detain Protester During Data Center March

According to a police media release, officers gave several verbal warnings that occupying the roadway was unlawful and directed demonstrators to the sidewalks. The man kept walking in the roadway and was arrested for an ordinance violation of failing to use the sidewalk.

He did not resist and cooperated with officers. Police did not release his name.

As the arrest took place, the crowd screamed for his release. At points the language became somewhat vitriolic and very spicy.

After the arrest, protesters made some round-robins in the crosswalk, moving with the lights, and left the intersection at 3:10 p.m. They returned to the Capitol to conclude the protest at about 3:45 p.m. on the lawn across from the Capitol.