Councilwoman receives death threats and assaulted over Pittsburg data center
A Pittsburg, California city council member, Arlene Kobata, has reportedly received death threats and was assaulted over the city's approved data center project. The mayor and community leaders have condemned the violence, urging for peaceful disagreement, while the city has paused further action for community outreach.
Pittsburg City Council member Arlene Kobata revealed on a local podcast that she has received death threats and was physically assaulted due to the city's recently approved data center project. According to Kobata, a woman upset about the data center grabbed and shoved her at a public event. She also reported receiving harassing emails and death threats, similar to incidents faced by council members in other parts of the country.
The data center is slated for construction on the former site of a golf course, and Kobata stated she was not on the council when it was approved. Pittsburg Mayor Dionne Adams issued a statement condemning violence, emphasizing the importance of peaceful disagreement and ensuring residents' voices are heard safely. The city has reportedly paused further action on the data center to conduct community outreach in response to the escalating tensions.