New Yorkers protest data center bill outside of Chuck Schumer's Brooklyn apartment

New Yorkers turned out in the rain to protest Chuck Schumer's failure to block the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, which would make it easier for the construction of data centers and pipelines. For more on the bill and how you can get involved in stopping it, see this New York Communities for Change post. The vote for cloture on the bill is this Monday, so if you want to do something, do it fast (i.e. call your reps)!

Protestor seen from behind holding up a sign saying "PROTECT OUR WATER / FOOD & WATER WATCH / TEXT FWW to 23321." Schumer's apartment building in the background.

The protest took place directly across the street from Schumer's apartment next to Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Organizers were pretty sure Schumer was inside. He didn't come out to say hi.

Liat Olenick speaks before the crowd while holding a sign reading "PROTECT FAMILIES! NOT POLLUTERS / climate families nyc" — Liat Olenick from Climate Families NYC.

The protest was organized by Climate Families NYC, Indivisible Brooklyn, New York Communities for Change, Climate Defenders, Rise and Resist, Food and Water Watch, and 350 Brooklyn.

Here's Liat Olenick from Climate Families NYC explaining the protest and what you can do to help. (SPOILER: call your reps!)

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Pete Sikora raises a hand, gesturing and shouting as the rain comes down around him. He's wearing a "NEW YORK COMMUNITIES FOR CHANGE" t-shirt.

Pete Sikora from New York Communities for Change said Schumer will cast a symbolic vote AGAINST the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, which will help data centers get built.

But Schumer won't use his powers to STOP the bill right now - which he could! The bill is a bipartisan bill with just two Democratic sponsors. It needs Democratic votes to proceed. Sikora says Schumer could stop it if he really wanted.

"Clusterfuck for Chuck!" @petesikora.bsky.social succinctly explain's @schumer.senate.gov's ability (and failure!) to shut down the data center bill TOMORROW.
— Greg Pak (@gregpak.net) 2026-11-06T14:40:30.963Z

Bryony Romer from Indivisible Brooklyn shouts while protesting in the rain. — Bryony Romer from Indivisible Brooklyn.

Pete Sikora points up at Schumer's apartment building. Folks with a partly obscured banner behind him reading "SENATOR SCHUMER: STOP THE DIRTY PIPELINE DEAL"

Protestors march past Schumer's apartment carrying a giant blank check made out to Schumer for "Dirty Data Center Deal," signed by "AI + Oil & GAS Billionaires." Some of the text is streaking in the rain. Cops watching from behind barricades.

Protestors brought a big blank check for Schumer signed by "AI + Oil + Gas Billionaires."

Protestor gestures at the big blank check as a cop extends his arms while talking to him.

The cops set up barricades and told the protestors to keep moving. I heard one cop say that if the protestors came by a third time, "we're cuffing them." No arrests were made.

Protestor with big blank check laughs while talking to another protestor

Cop gesturing towards us while talking to a protestor who's wearing a sign that reads "Schumer and Jeffries: maybe NOW you grow some balls and fight for us."

Cop asking a protestor to move across the street. The protestor said the sidewalk is public.

A cop in a white shirt talks with Liat of Climate Families and some other protestors in the rain.

More discussions with the police outside of Schumer's apartment building.

Cherie Acierno holds a sign reading "NO NEW FOSSIL FUELS" while speaking in front of Schumer's building. Low angle, dramatic shot. Edges of the frame a little blurred from rain on the lens. — Cherie Acierno from Rise and Resist.

Protestors with signs reading "Schumer: stop the dirty data center bill" and "stop data cetners"

Photographer Michael Nigro in motion towards us in the foreground, eyes framed out. Protestor with giant check and police barricades behind him.

Accidental but pretty cool shot of fellow photojournalist Michael Nigro!