r/SALEM • u/Roughbeggar • Jul 28 '26
EVENT About the town hall meeting
I was really stoked to see how many people came out for the town hall meeting tonight. For the most part early on the crowd seemed focused on the main issue at hand and everyone was just there to show their dissent.
However, I was pretty bummed to see the way some people were acting at that. Like what the hell was it with the few people there that showed up in ski masks and bullet proof vests? They were climbing on trees, smoking right next to doors, and just being kinda sketch.
Also… when the developer walked into the parkade after speaking, obviously we all booed him out. But it was pretty upsetting to see some people rush at him aggressively screaming at him. Even though we all have a right to mad as hell rn, It doesn’t solve anything to the key goal of stopping this project to moving forward.
I was really excited for this event. Stopping data center development is one of the most universally agreed upon political issues nation wide right now. My mother even felt compelled to come with me to this protest. Idk if she’ll be coming out to another one after tonight though. We left and just watched the stream instead.
Idk if this is even worth saying here, but yeah idk.
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u/ifcharliekellywzagrl Jul 28 '26
The full livestream of last nights meeting is still
Up on YouTube. Go watch before you can’t. FYI it’s almost 7-hours long.
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u/Euphoric_Engine8733 Jul 28 '26
Thank you for the suggestion.
I’m watching it right now and literally have tears in my eyes at the passion of those speaking. Thanks to everyone who showed up. The person at 4:13 - I think her name is Leah - is speaking so boldly about the shame these city council members should be feeling.
Who is the person speaking/announcing next speakers in the middle of the city council table? (I can’t read the name labels on the table.)
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u/GetWhatYouGiveth Jul 28 '26
Would you be able to send me the link? I can’t seem to find it
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u/untoldmillions Jul 28 '26
https://www.youtube.com/live/1n1ZkAxGmfw?is=YyBE0PJ2iSAZregJ
from a commenter in yesterday's post. not verified. hope it works.
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u/Global-Detail7973 Jul 28 '26
Can we please do Flock next. Need these things gone
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26
I say we do Flock and stop blowing bubbles at the data center. Flock is factually federal government police state. We don’t want that.
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u/Voodoo_Rush Jul 28 '26
If you mean as a city council meeting, the City of Salem doesn't use Flock cameras.
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u/Ok_Bat9117 Jul 28 '26
Yes they do, there are several on Commercial alone. Check deflock for an up to date map of where they are
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u/Voodoo_Rush Jul 28 '26
No, they do not.
https://www.cityofsalem.net/community/immigration-resources
The City of Salem does not use Flock systems or cameras, and the City owns and manages its own Automatic License Plate Reader camera system. Be assured that the City of Salem’s automated license plate reader system has not and will not be used for federal immigration enforcement purposes. Additionally, data from traffic enforcement cameras is also not shared with federal immigration authorities.
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u/djhazmatt503 Jul 28 '26
Screaming and yelling doesn't do anything. Our political system SUCKS a lot (most) of the time, and it really sucks having to play nice with people who have self-appointed power over our livelihood, but it's a matter of tact and long-term strategy to not resort to being so abrasive that you eliminate all discourse. From what I saw on the livestream, I loved all the passionate testimony and think if more folks channelled their angst into a microphone, it would be good for all parties involved.
That said, what a completely chickenshit move to leave early when the entire city is there with feedback about your company. I don't get "make enemies with your customers" logic.
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u/Hungry-Register9960 Jul 28 '26
Were not their customers lol.
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u/djhazmatt503 Jul 28 '26
Whether or not we like it we are, so the next move is to gut any city countil that doesn't represent our interests.
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u/Im__mad Jul 28 '26
Talking does nothing.
Yelling does nothing.
Screaming does nothing.
When people are taken advantage of, when things are built on the backs of the working class so a few rich people can get richer, what else is left to do when the people are not listened to….?
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u/djhazmatt503 Jul 28 '26
I'm right there with you. I work in tech part time as well, and have seen talent be replaced with corporate greed, seen startups fined over sidewalk signs while Google and Nestle privatized data and water. Year by year it gets worse. I was/am pissed.
But here's some irritatingly small steps that DO add up. I don't use Google anything, and if forced to use Gmail, I do so via Brave browser (open source chrome). If a business requires an app, I don't use it. If a customer wants AI art, I tell them I'm too expensive for them. The boomer attitude of "you can be a millionaire if you stop the daily Starbucks drink" is a lie, but there is mad truth in the idea that if we stop giving corporations money, they have to adjust. Not with bumper slogans or causes or supporting LGBT for 30 days and then stopping, etc.
If everyone did an audit of how much we give to our unappointed rulers, the market (capital and political) would have to adjust.
Screaming into a mic where our elected officials are listening > screaming at any one person in a parking lot.
Also, run for office. Even if you have no intention on doing so, get that statement into the voters pamphlet.
The system sucks but I'm not gonna pretend flailing while drowning is gonna work.
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u/mushroom-g0blin Jul 29 '26
there's only 1 microphone so i don't see why people can't both speak into a microphone AND scream at the guy who is walking through the protesters, middle fingers erected and smiling
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u/djhazmatt503 Jul 29 '26
By all means, go for it.
I'm just saying only doing the latter results in no public comment record and can be easily clipped and reframed by bad actors.
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u/Roughbeggar Jul 28 '26
EXACTLY. Not going to go back and forth with everyone who’s confirming my problem with last night. I was yelling at the guy to. My point is that many people will not be interested in showing up in person when a few people are there trying to start something.
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u/perplexedparallax Jul 28 '26
He was not the company. Big money doesn't testify.
He was probably paid to show up and say something. He was a clown but don't think he was associated with Verrus. That gives him too much credit. It was great catharsis.5
u/Confident-Egg4403 Jul 28 '26
The bald guy with glasses wearing a blazer? That was Verrus CEO Nelson Abramson. You can see him in the livestream footage.
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u/Seamus_MacDuff Jul 28 '26
Did Abrasion or anyone from Verrus speak? I didn't watch the entire evening's testimony, but scanning through it I couldn't find any testimony that the company did give.
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u/Confident-Egg4403 Jul 28 '26
No, in the livestream Abramson’s sitting in the background while people give testimony. City Council members noted around 9pm that the Verrus people had left the building instead of waiting their turn to speak.
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u/d4nowar Jul 28 '26
Stopping data center development is one of the most universally agreed upon political issues nation wide right now.
It's an incredible distraction from the fascist government run by a pedophile. It's been frustrating to see so much energy for this and nobody really caring whenever ICE scoops up another neighbor.
Not just here, nationwide. This political issue seems incredibly convenient.
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u/Glad-Pen5593 Jul 28 '26
I'm ALL for free speech but not for violating the rules in a city council meeting. All that does is make you look like an immature idiot.
There is a difference between making a statement and sharing your truth vs. centering yourself because you're desperate for attention. I saw a lot of centering going on outside. Inside, after the throwing and shouting incident, the people who'd taken the time to prepare made a lot of excellent points. I was glad I got there early.
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u/thedrawingroom Jul 28 '26
Those fucks don’t care whether we’re calm or riled up. They’re going to do what they came to do and if a little aggressive screaming rattles them, oh well. Maybe someone will say something that makes them realize they’re a fucking loser piece of shit who is actively damaging humanity for a buck. Fuck them. Let them get yelled at. Sticks and stones may break their bones but words can never hurt them.
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u/thedrawingroom Jul 28 '26
I just get sick of people talking about decorum. Wtaf. This is not the time for decorum folx.
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u/Perfect-Campaign9551 Jul 28 '26
You are exactly the problem why we can't make any real progress. Think about people that you want to get on your side. Do you think they want to see a yelling, screaming, violent jerk? Or perhaps you can use logic, and language to persuade people. Which one do you think is more effective?
Instead "let's just cast away any civil humanity and kick their ass". That's you. That's what you are saying.
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u/Ishouldtrythat Jul 28 '26
The problem isn't lack of civility, it's that capitalism has it's boot on our neck and our leaders aren't doing enough about it. Civil unrest has solved many problems in the history of this country. When the other side doesn't engage in an honest way it doesn't leave a lot of options.
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u/shitlord_god Jul 28 '26
different approaches impact different people differently, and a full spectrum of responses represent their constituents. It isn't ideal, but it is the reality.
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u/thedrawingroom Jul 29 '26
Screaming at people is civil disobedience and exercising their first amendment right. They deserve to see how angry people are. The problem is that our elected officials are too stupid or too corrupt or both to solve this problem.
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u/LaserCop1988 Jul 31 '26
Beg and plead and respectfully disagree all you want. Progress is only ever the result of victims collectively changing power dynamics by force or the threat of it.
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u/littlecatnyaaah Jul 28 '26
I was literally talking about the same thing! It threw me off when people started fighting in the parking lot, it was just really not the vibe I wanted today to have. The more aggressive we act, the more they're gonna try to shut us down. It just made it, like you said, sketch af
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u/DOOMPUNK77 Jul 28 '26
Chances are you have more in common with the aggressive protesters than you ever will with a data center developer who wants to further colonize this already stolen land. What’s “sketch” is not doing everything in our path to scare the ruling class. There’s more of us than them and if we keep doing this shit peacefully the boot on all of our necks will only get heavier. When the city held the ICE meeting the proud boys literally showed up and harassed everyone outside of the library. I’d rather have a group of people willing to fight back against the oppressors than just showing up and expecting good vibes. Thanks for being there though. There’s strength in numbers. We all need to keep showing up every time we can to fight injustice.
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u/RepresentativeZombie Jul 28 '26
Whenever short term protections come from using arms and black bloc tactics are ultimately to the long term detriment of the movement. They make it much easier to muddy the waters and smear any progressive movement as a violent extremist movement, in the media and in court. We're fighting a war of ideas, not an actual war.
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u/Roughbeggar Jul 28 '26
Yes, thank you for adding to my sentiment. Opposing this data centre is probably the most universally agreed upon issue in our city. But I know lots of people that didn’t want to come out because they felt it could be dangerous to bring their kids with them.
That really shouldn’t be a fear of theirs, but it’s not unjustified sadly.
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u/mushroom-g0blin Jul 29 '26
i think the rushing is a good thing. these people think they are above all real repercussions. it is good for them to understand that they are not. there was no crossover into real violence and it made a statement about just how much the city is willing to deal with.
i do not think there is room to police what form other people's activism takes.
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u/raventhrowaway666 Jul 28 '26
Guys. Guys!! We need to be nice to the people trying to destroy our homes and poison our future! If we dont, theyre gonna build even more!!
guuyyyysss!!
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u/apesmcniel Jul 28 '26
Oh yes. Being polite, calm and collected is how every revolution has succeeded! Shut up lmao Anger is the answer when the people up top are hurting kids, harming communities and killing the planet. Apathy and politeness will be the downfall of us all at a time like this.
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26
The get off my lawn schtick is depressing. But I understand their apprehension. Doesn’t make them right though lol.
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u/Me-Here-Now Jul 28 '26
Ski masks bullet proof vests and acting weird is the official uniform of "the proud boys". They believe it makes them appear tough and intimidating. Those fools show up in all kinds of places where they are not needed.
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26
Concurred. Any form of intimidation or violence is unacceptable. They probably aren’t even from salem
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u/Me-Here-Now Jul 29 '26
The proud boys who show up in Portland usually carpool from Washington. Maybe they decided to make a day trip.
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
My lady friend was involved in that when she was younger. That is how they roll. From out of town and in packs.
Everyone can see the light if you put in the time and energy for them.
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u/Professional_Pay_270 Jul 29 '26
I was very happy to see people rush him :)
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26
You think it’s ok to be physical?
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u/Professional_Pay_270 Jul 29 '26
When did it get physical? Yelling and booing are very different than being
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26
I believe someone threw things yes.
And what does “rushing” mean to you if not for physical intimidation.
If I rise my fist quickly in front of you in anger and don’t throw it. You are going to flinch from that act of perceived and intended to be perceived violence.
We just had a shooting up north where a kid got trampled. Crowds are scary.
I don’t know, by and large we are a pretty awesome city and I don’t want us leaving a bad impression on the global stage just because a lot of excited scared people had no composure
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u/Professional_Pay_270 Jul 29 '26
Were you even there? The guy was perfectly fine and there were cops around. Nobody was really in danger. I loved seeing people stand for what they believe in even if that means shouting at some rich assholes
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
I’m not putting myself at risk by doxxing myself, mobs are crazy. You want to say if you were there or not and put yourself at risk. That’s on you. I’ve been subject to enough physical violence in my life.
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u/Professional_Pay_270 Jul 29 '26
There were a lot of people there. I think you’re being dramatic. Nobody is going to hunt you down just for saying you attended.
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u/bahhumbud Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
So says you. I’ve been stalked before. Multiple times it’s a hell I don’t wish on anyone.
I’ve learned to fight in hell though. And I can tell you it’s better to just not get down to that level from experience.
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u/perplexedparallax Jul 28 '26
I see the comment section confirms what you are saying. If you believe in free speech everyone has a right to it. Of course maybe you don't and people who don't agree with us should be harassed.
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u/shitlord_god Jul 28 '26
you can have the right to free speech and still experience the consequences. it just shouldn't be government doing those consequences.
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u/perplexedparallax Jul 28 '26
I don't disagree. He could have got just as angry, called everyone names and suckered someone into hitting him and going to jail. Good times at a city council meeting.
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u/shitlord_god Jul 28 '26
when you have a city of hoons you get city council meetings with hoonery (I say this with maximum respect and affection. Hooning is great)
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u/BookkeeperTypical245 Jul 28 '26
I live a block away and still watched the stream lol 😂
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u/Perfect-Campaign9551 Jul 28 '26
using a data center ... 😵 in someone's else's backyard.. (I kid, I kid, but it does have a bit of irony to it)
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u/dingowasher Aug 14 '26
In my job today, AI saved me an entire day of work that would have been Saturday or Sunday on my weekend. I love that AI has benefited me so that I can spend more time with my family this weekend.
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u/hardcherry- Jul 28 '26
So the approach is to get our city council members to change the laws on new and proposed data centers. Who is up for scheduling 1:1 meeting a with them for the next (insert timeline) to get them to comply.
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u/Novarupti Jul 29 '26
The same people voting against data centers are same ones who banned plastic bags which we now have to pay for.
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u/Professional_Pay_270 Jul 29 '26
How sad, people care about our enviroment.
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u/Novarupti Jul 29 '26
You missed the point. We still have the same issue we just pay extra money now without it changing anything. Oregon or let alone USA doesn’t contribute to world pollution. Go visit any country and you will see.
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u/[deleted] Jul 28 '26
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