▶︎In what-is-now-traditional journalistic malpractice, none of the articles about this have a photo or video of the guillotine. But I found one. Salem Brought a Guillotine To Oppose New AI Data Center. Company Reps Left, Feeling "Unsafe".

Someone brought a guillotine to a city council meeting in Salem, Oregon on July 27, 2026. Not a sign shaped like one. Not a drawing. According to community accounts and social media posts, an actual guillotine structure appeared at the protest outside Loucks Auditorium, where hundreds of residents had gathered to oppose a proposed multi-billion-dollar AI data center. Company representatives reportedly assessed the scene and left, citing safety concerns -- though that detail hasn't appeared in formal news coverage or official minutes. [...]

Salem just reminded the industry that community consent isn't a formality you schedule around -- it's a variable that can stall a $5.1 billion project before a single permit clears.

Previously, previously, previously, previously, previously.