Technology media outlet Tom's Hardware published a post yesterday (August 7), reporting that at a public meeting in Salem, Oregon, about a proposed $5.1 billion (IT Home note: approximately 34.474 billion yuan at the current exchange rate) AI data center, local activists brought out a guillotine in protest.
IT Home, citing the post, reported that the public meeting was held on July 27 local time to discuss Verrus's planned Oakline at Mill Creek data center. The meeting lasted more than 6 hours but spiraled out of control as protests escalated.
The proposed data center would be located in the Oakline development in Mill Creek. With a total investment of $5.1 billion, the project would occupy approximately 75 acres near Turner Road and Deerpark Drive at the Mill Creek Corporate Center, and comprise a campus with three data center buildings and a utility substation.
The report said the consultation lasted more than 6 hours, with several community members clearly expressing their opposition. Verrus representatives had initially attended to hear the feedback, but were surrounded by some protesters midway through the meeting.
Verrus spokesperson JP Newmann said that protesters surrounded the representatives during a recess and loudly hurled insults at them, leaving the situation “no longer safe to remain in.” They ultimately left with police assistance.
One week after the meeting ended, the City of Salem announced that it would put the proposed data center plan on hold for 1 year and suspend all data center development within the city.
