In Frederick County, Virginia, Marxist organizer Jack Tensley testified against the development of local AI data centers earlier this year. his opposition has coincided with allegations that his organization, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), is part of a broader influence network linked to Chinese-connected businessman Neville Roy Singham.
The 10-0 vote that halted the Clearbrook development
Local opposition to AI infrastructure has already yielded significant results for activists in Virginia. Following testimony from Jack Tensley, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors voted 10-0 to deny a 220-acre development project located in Clearbrook. The board also rejected a separate 71 .8-acre project in Winchester with a 7-1 vote,according to the report.
Tensley, representing the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), argued during his January testimony before the Frederick County Planning Commission that these data centers pose significant security risks. He specifically cited concerns regarding potential cyber threats and infrastructure attacks that could turn the county into a target. these arguments resonated with local officials, contributing to the rejection of both major projects.
The $278 million Singham network and the PSL
The political activity in Frederick County is being viewed through a much larger lens by security analysts. The Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) has reported that the PSL is linekd to a network associated with Neville Roy Singham, a 72-year-old businessman based in Shanghai. Singham is alleged to have ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and has reportedly funneled $278 million into various nonprofits over the last decade.
According to the BPI findings , the PSL functions as a "political arm" for this network, providing the essential "ground game" for various movements . This includes organizing rallies, managing petitioons, and conducting neighborhood organizing to halt specific projects. While the PSL states its mission is to pursue socialism within the United States, the BPI suggests its local efforts may align with broader, foreign-funded interests.
Senator Tom Cotton’s call for a DOJ investigation
The potential for foreign interference in U.S. technology infrastructure has reached the halls of Congress. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has formally urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Singham's network. In a letter to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Cotton expressed concern that foreign actors, acting under the direction of the CCP, are attempting to manipulate American public opinion and policy regarding data centers.
This political pressure highlights the growing tension between the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure and the security concerns of federal lawmakers. The focus is not just on local zoning, but on whether the very process of American technological development is being subverted by external actors through domestic nonprofit channels.
The unverified link between Singham and the PSL
Despite the connections highlighted by the BPI, several critical details remain unconfirmed. It is currently unclear if Neville Roy Singham provides direct financial support to the Party for Socialism and Liberation . while the BPI characterizes the PSL as a functional part of Singham's broader movement, a direct paper trail of funding has not been established in the current reporting.
Furthermore, the extent to which Jack Tensley’s individual activism is driven by these alleged foreign links remains an open question. While FEC records show Tensley has previously donated to politicians like Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), his specific motivations for leading the "Protect Frederick County from Data Center Development" group are not fully documented beyond his stated security concerns.
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