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Residents tell council the seal's imagery is harmful; some urge removal
Summary
Multiple public commenters said the current Salem City seal causes harm to AAPI residents and children; speakers called for removal, asked for more public process and offered symbolic alternatives.
Several residents who spoke during public comment told the Committee of the Whole the city seal's depiction has caused teasing and harm and urged the council to act.
Florida Tapat said childhood taunting grew from caricatures and that the image "should be completely gone." Steve Kapantis told the council he believed the task force had not completed its work and urged further council follow-up. Emmylou Manuel, a volunteer and former visitor-services manager, suggested non-figurative alternatives and said interpretive history requires expertise beyond brief explanatory text.
Speakers representing historical and volunteer backgrounds urged the council to balance historical record and present-day impact while giving residents more opportunities for input.
