A protest targeting ““xAI’s colonization” is planned for Saturday, September 13 at Fairley High School.
The protest, organized by Tigers Against Pollution (TAP), is being promoted with a poster featuring the faces of those “that fuel the fire” including Elon Musk, xAI CEO and founder, Brent Mayo, xAI senior manager of infrastructure, Lee Harris, Shelby County mayor, Paul Young, city of Memphis mayor, and Greater Memphis Chamber employees.
TAP said that businesses like xAI and people like Musk continue to “dump their unwanted business in poor, underserved territories.” They said elected officials have shown full support for these acts.
“From our mayors, to the Memphis Chamber of Commerce, Shelby County Health Department, City Council, Board of Commissioners — their faces will no longer be hidden,” TAP said in an Instagram post. “We will show them for what they truly are: fascist sympathizers.”
The student-led group has long voiced their opposition to xAI’s data center and expansion. They’ve also worked with other organizations such as The Equity Alliance to canvas for environmental justice.
TAP also uses their social media presence to spread awareness on other environmental issues while also holding stakeholders “accountable,” and recently posted a graphic calling The Greater Memphis Chamber “xAI’s puppet.”
A protest sign-making party is scheduled prior to the march on Friday, September 12th at the University of Memphis’ Alumni Lawn and University Center from 5 to 7 p.m.