Prominent progressive activist calls on ‘white leftists’ to burn down data centers

Amid recent attacks on critical infrastructure and supply chains, a prominent D.C. activist took aim at data centers in a now viral social media video urging white leftists to “continue burning shit down.” The video, which describes the destruction of private property as “non-violent,” has ignited debate over the escalation in radical leftist tactics amid highly coordinated protests and foreign funding.

Arianna “Afeni” Evans, an Army veteran turned paid agitator, took to social media wearing an “Immigrants Forever, ICE Agents Never” hat and she praised recent arson attacks while describing property destruction as “nonviolent” when directed at “things, not people.” She lauded recent warehouse fires as effective resistance. “AI data centers next,” Evans said.

“AI Data Centers Next… Continue to Burn Shit Down”

That is prominent DC activist Arianna “Afeni” Evans urging more arson and sabotage.

She frames property destruction as nonviolent, praises those burning Amazon warehouses, and tells white leftists to organize other whites so… pic.twitter.com/ZLiMSMVVEq

— Stu Smith (@thestustustudio) April 18, 2026

The U.S. has over 3,000 operating data centers and over 1,500 in the development stages, the Midwest region has 655 existing data centers and another 419 planned, The Midwesterner previously reported.

The Midwest states with the most operating and planned data centers are Illinois (262) and Ohio (223).

While Michigan isn’t listed as one of the top-15 states with the highest total number of data centers operating and planned, the state has numerous projects in development across the state, often opposed by communities.

Disgruntled employee starts massive fire at a 1.2 million square foot warehouse in Ontario, California pic.twitter.com/mkQvVZ6Mil

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) April 8, 2026

In the video, which has circulated widely on social media after being highlighted by conservative investigative accounts, Evans then urged white leftists to recruit and “organize your people.” “Continue to burn shit down,” Evans said.

Evans, who adopted the name Afeni in homage to Black Panther activist Afeni Shakur, has become increasingly radicalized following the 2020 George Floyd riots. She’s known for agitation tactics, including an August 2025 event where Evans refused to pay a D.C. transit authority fare, then used the optics of her arrest for political mobilization.

From Army Veteran to Radical Organizer: Afeni Evans Arrested in D.C.

D.C. activist Arianna “Afeni” Evans was arrested last night.

Evans is a full-time activist whose career is built on propaganda videos and direct action campaigns.

An Army veteran, Evans was radicalized… pic.twitter.com/OYUNqlMOkf

— Stu Smith (@thestustustudio) August 16, 2025

 

Evans’ supporters are mobilizing today outside D.C. Superior Court.

They’re calling it “Court Support/Jail Support” for Afeni at 1pm, claiming she was “snatched by metro transit police while protecting D.C. youth.”

This is the playbook: every arrest becomes theater, every… pic.twitter.com/7gGgFyQxT8

— Stu Smith (@thestustustudio) August 16, 2025

Concerningly, the remarks come as leftist organizers prepare for May Day actions nationwide, featuring rallies, strikes and school walkouts/walk-ins boycotting immigration operations.

While government labor unions and Democratic lawmakers have publicly called for a peaceful “Political Revolution,” anarchist and militant groups have advocated for a “diversity of tactics,” including direct action on May Day.

Far left EXTREMISTS are declaring WAR on the rich by attacking Tech businesses, corporations, and CEOs. Recently, a suspect bombed a Tesla sales office in New Orleans with a Molotov cocktail, which could be related to a wider scheme across the country.

“A suspect hurled an… pic.twitter.com/29bmJGUaky

— DeVory Darkins (@devorydarkins) April 16, 2026

Critics view Evans’ speech as part of a broader pattern of radicalization, which some journalists have labeled as the “beginning of the revolution,” pointing to recent structure fires as a repeat of 2020 unrest that caused billions in damage.

Supporters justify her comments as pushback against corporate power amid larger discussions around wealth redistribution—ironically driven by some of the nation’s wealthiest venture capitalists.

pic.twitter.com/502vZzGnf7

— Dr. Joseph Santoro (@Joseph_Santoro) April 18, 2026

Recent attacks on U.S. infrastructure have also fueled concerns related to ideological threats and foreign actors. Following international anti-fascist training events in Cuba and Venezuela – highlighting ideological networking among leftist groups – the Trump administration designated ANTIFA as a domestic terror group.

While FBI and Department of Homeland Security alerts have focused primarily on potential Iranian sleeper cells and cyberattacks amid U.S.-Iran tensions, investigators are now said to be looking into a broader pattern of anti-capitalist attacks.

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