It can’t be overstated how necessary grassroots and independent, non-aligned organizing can be for the preservation of human rights, human dignity and the expansion of justice in Virginia and the imperiled United States of America.
Here in Staunton, I have lent my time and rancor to lobbying City Hall and Chief Jim Williams to abandon their dangerous and ill-advised rental of ALPRs from the notoriously flawed and violently unethical Flock Systems. Many others had similar ideas and didn’t hesitate to act on everyone’s behalf without asking permission about the best way to proceed.
I am very grateful to the many neighbors who’ve led and lit viable paths toward accomplishing today’s victory for ALL people who live in and visit our notable little city; and I’m grateful to the many neighbors who answered the call to bring heat and admonition to City Council and our city appointees until there was no mistaking the will of The People.
If the City of Staunton and Chief Williams need to save face by claiming it was the “unsolicited” defamatory remarks by a Flock executive preemptively painting Stauntonians as criminals, thereby making continued use of their easily-hacked e-waste compulsory for us stupid hayseeds, then, that’s fine. The City can save its face for another, certain to follow, even plausibly imminent battle which will engage Staunton’s residents and its neighbors of conscience.
Good riddance to Flock Systems, and any scummy companies like them.
We are vigilant in Staunton. We keep us safe.
Aaron Barmer is a resident of Staunton.
ICYMI
- Staunton to cancel Flock Safety camera contract, citing issues with ideology of CEO
- Flock cameras helped find the Brown University killer, locals still find them dangerous
- Staunton | Are police, ICE using Flock license plate cameras to spy on you?
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