A donkey becomes symbol of resistance against data center expansion in florida

Eloise, a one-year-old mini Jerusalem donkey residing in Hernando, Florida, has emerged as a symbol of opposition to the construction of data centers in the region. Despite living a quiet life on a farm alongside various animals, Eloise has become a central figure in the local resistance movement. During a June government meeting in Citrus County, residents debated the potential impacts of data centers, with one resident highlighting the harmful effects of low-frequency noise, noting that Eloise was directly affected. The planning commission ultimately voted against the proposal, with one member expressing concern for Eloise, who had become the face of the application. Today, residents in the area wear T-shirts featuring Eloise’s image, showing her as a rallying point for opponents. Eloise is not the only animal to challenge data center projects; in Nashville, citizens opposed a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo, with the zoo officials warning of potential negative impacts on the 3,000 animals in their care. The nonprofit Nashville Zoo criticized the lack of studies or environmental impact assessments provided by the developer, DC Blox, and called the project an 'absolute nightmare scenario.'