Chippewa Valley Indivisible

The Chippewa County Board voted unanimously to pass a temporary moratorium on data center construction — a major victory for CVI and the coalition of farmers, residents, and community advocates who pushed for it.

The moratorium gives the county time to develop proper zoning regulations before any data center projects can move forward. It’s the result of months of organizing — from the Charlie Berens event that packed High Country, to the public hearing where community members lined up to speak, to the relentless pressure from CVI members who refused to let this issue be decided behind closed doors.

Now the real work begins: getting comprehensive zoning in place for the entire county. But tonight, we celebrate. The people showed up, the board listened, and democracy worked.

On August 4, CVI members traveled to Prairie du Chien — Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s hometown — to protest outside a ‘Tavern Talk’ event where both Van Orden and Rep. Tom Tiffany were appearing. Our crew arrived with the ambulance, giant signs, and a clear message about their healthcare votes.

Crossing Rivers Health is Crawford County’s only hospital — independent, Critical Access, and dangerously exposed by the Medicaid cuts Tiffany and Van Orden voted for. When constituents show up in a lawmaker’s own backyard, it lands.

CVI was joined by friends from Grant County Indivisible, Crawford County Democrats, and other coalition groups. The caravan made the trip together, proving that this movement stretches across county lines.

The numbers tell the story of a grassroots media machine that just keeps growing. CVI’s social media content is reaching hundreds of thousands of people — all organic, all authentic, zero advertising dollars.

The highlights: our Farmer reels reached 191,868 views. The ‘ICE Kills, DHS Lies’ Bridge Brigade post topped 82,000 views. ‘Get Us Out or Send Barron’ passed 59,000. Our doctor reels reached 13,241 neighbors with the truth about healthcare votes. And the Tom Tiffany ‘we got guns’ video crossed 50,000 views and is now powering a media campaign in southern Wisconsin.

Every viral moment started with real people showing up in real life. The cameras and the clicks follow the action.

The Chippewa County Planning and Zoning Committee set a public hearing on a temporary moratorium on data center construction — a direct result of community pressure and organizing by CVI and allied groups.

The moratorium would amend the county’s zoning ordinance, acknowledging that data centers ‘may require substantial public and private infrastructure improvements, including roadway improvements, utility extensions, electrical substations, transmission lines, telecommunications facilities, and emergency service capabilities’ not currently addressed by existing ordinances.

This is democracy in action: citizens raising concerns, elected officials listening, and the wheels of local government turning to protect our community. The hearing was set for August 3 at the Chippewa County Courthouse.

CVI organized ‘You Could Be Next’ protests in both Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, drawing significant media coverage from WEAU TV13 and the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. Protesters held the faces of those killed by ICE or who died in ICE custody, marching to demand accountability.

The Bridge Brigade amplified the message with ICE-themed signs — ‘ICE KILLS, DHS LIES’ surpassed 45,000 views on social media. Maarten’s ‘HOW MANY MORE’ video from the Chippewa Falls protest reached over 28,000 views. Other groups across the state requested our signs for their own protests.

CVI members at the protests noted an outpouring of support from community members and passing drivers. The message was clear: this is not about immigration status. Four of the people ICE killed this year were U.S. citizens.