Emi Blakely

Dear Editor,

I was pleasantly surprised to see that the young person who interrupted the final Maine United States Senate debate was Polar Bear Henry Elgie ’29, according to the Portland Press Herald, which shared a photo of the interruption.

According to the Associated Press (AP):

“The scene became briefly chaotic when a protester opposing data centers began yelling as Collins spoke. As moderators asked for the protester to be removed, Collins said the shouting demonstrator was ‘obviously one of Troy’s supporters.’

Jackson responded: ‘Oh, shut up. I don’t even know that kid.’”

Data centers are an environmental scourge that appears to be uniting opposition across political parties, socio-economic class and regions. That data centers power the artificial intelligence used for mass killing makes them even more horrific. Good on Elgie for speaking up about this on the national stage. Maybe Troy Jackson should get to know them?

Lisa Savage is a member of the Class of 1977.