Roanoke and Botetourt residents to March for a Moratorium on new Virginia data centers
Community members and advocates will call for an immediate statewide pause on data center approvals and construction as well as the energy infrastructure constructed for their purpose
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2026
EVENT CONTACT:
Kathryn J. Hatam, The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance, (323)829-4865, [email protected]
(additional organization contacts below)
ROANOKE, Va. — The Southwest Virginia Transparency Alliance and Protect Our Water Heritage and Rights will host a March for a Moratorium Rally at the corner of Grandin Road and Memorial Avenue SW on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 4:30 p.m., calling on state leaders to pause approvals for new data centers and the associated energy infrastructure buildout across Virginia until safeguards are in place. The Roanoke event will highlight how data centers are leading to the expansion of fossil fuels, pipelines and compressor stations such as the MVP Boost project, and are impacting water supplies.
To highlight the need for transparency around data center and energy development, the rally will be followed by a free screening of VS. GOLIATH and a panel discussion at the Grandin Theatre at 7 p.m. to benefit the fight against exploitative projects in our area. RSVP Link here.
The Roanoke rally is part of a two-week statewide series of events across Virginia, mobilizing participants to oppose the reckless, rushed expansion of large data centers and demand strong protections.
WHAT: March for a Moratorium in Roanoke. “A rally calling for an immediate moratorium on new data-center approvals in Virginia until statewide safeguards are in place.”
WHEN: Wed., Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Corner of Grandin Road and Memorial Avenue SW
WHO: Speakers include:
- Tim Cywinski, Communications Director – Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
- Community Leaders from The Southwest Virginia Data Center Transparency Alliance (SWVADCTA) and Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR)
- Featured Activists from the documentary, VS. GOLIATH
WHY: Virginia’s rapid data-center expansion is placing growing pressure on water resources, electrical grids, ecosystems and nearby communities. It has already led to an unnecessary, expensive and dangerous expansion of fossil-fuel infrastructure. The campaign calls for a pause that would give policymakers time to establish meaningful protections for residents and public health, natural resources, energy affordability and transparent local decision-making.
The Roanoke March for Moratorium is sponsored by CCAN Action Fund, The Virginia Sierra Club, Tikkun Olam, ARTivisim, and Appalachian Voices. For more information and to see other events in the March for a Moratorium, visit – https://actionnetwork.org/events/march-for-a-moratorium-roanoke/
ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATION CONTACTS:
Russell Chisholm, Managing Director, POWHR, (540) 404-2727, [email protected]
Dan Radmacher, Media Specialist, Appalachian Voices (276) 289-1018, [email protected]
VS GOLIATH Film Team, Tikkun Olam Productions, [email protected]
Joshua Vana, Director, ARTivisim, [email protected]
Kidest Gebre, Communication Manager, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, (804) 401-9954, [email protected]
