water defenders

Water defenders and environmental activists are meeting in Mendoza, Argentina, under the banner "Abrazo de Mendoza", in response to what they describe as the growing criminalization of environmental protest. The gathering brings together communities and organizations concerned about legal actions taken against those defending water resources, and is being reported by independent media covering human rights and environmental struggles in the region.

Environmental activists gathered at West Beach in Santa Barbara, California, for a rally in defence of the coastline. Organisers and attendees called attention to threats facing the local shore and urged stronger protection of coastal resources. The event drew local coverage, with participants stressing that community action is needed to keep the beach and surrounding waters safe from development and pollution.

A politician or official reportedly received an eight-page cease-and-desist letter in connection with criticism of data centers, underlining how politically toxic data center projects have become. Communities increasingly push back against data centers over water and power use, noise, and strain on local grids, and politicians who support or oppose them face legal and electoral pressure. The letter suggests the industry or its allies are aggressively defending against criticism.