Local physician and school board director Satya Chandragiri is well-known for using his school board Facebook account to spread disinformation and MAGA propaganda - rarely, if ever, having anything to do with his leadership role in Salem-Keizer schools.
While Chandragiri has been posting like this from his Salem-Keizer School Board account for months and months, more recently his posts are receiving more scrutiny and increased feedback from his constituents.
That accountability is now being framed by Chandragiri as an attack on his 1st Amendment right to free speech.
Which, of course, is comically absurd.
From Chandragiri’s midnight meltdown** (bold emphasis added):
“Some want to BAN ME from writings on my social media anything that they perceive is political or my writings does not match their ideology….
“I respect everyone’s FIRST AMENDMENT right of free speech and people having their own opinions including their right to be wrong. That is the best part of America.
Unfortunately this important constitutional right is under threat. I see a pattern of attempts at undermining free speech, de platform Dissenting perspective, cancel culture attacking those who have different opinions or plain ad hominem attacks. I have seen it all.
I have shared with my superintendent and previously with our legal counsel that as an elected school board director I retain my FIRST AMENDMENT right of free speech.”
His problem appears to be that his constituents are regularly taking issue with the quality of the information he shares on social media. Most of what he posts is easily debunked, yet Chandragiri seems to think he should have some degree of special protection for his speech - free from criticism or accountability.
Again, from his late night word-salad:
“They don’t want me to write anything good about our President Trump, his efforts to seek ending of wars and killings, help our sovereignty, address crime and make cities safe, or write my views on how federal or state laws and policies have an impact on schools, our state or global affairs. They don’t even want me to share official documents from the federal government sites and write my opinion on them. They call it misinformation or some choice words!”
It’s worth noting that most of the critical feedback on his Facebook posts aren’t actually telling him he can’t share these things. Most of the feedback points out the clear disinformation he’s spreading, frequently reminding him that nearly everything he posts has nothing to do with his elected position. His own description of these events is….disinformation.
Chandragiri attacks his colleagues in the progressive majority
After deeply misunderstanding and misapplying the 1st Amendment right to free speech, Chandragiri went on to attack those on the school board that vote in ways he disagrees with:
“They write- ‘It does not pertain to the school board’. While school boards are supposed to be non partisan, but watching the board vote as a one sided ideological cabal, one wonders if this is true anymore?”
Interesting enough, that statement (and Chandragiri’s behavior, in general) could easily be construed as violating several aspects of the the general code of conduct established by the Oregon School Boards Association, (OSBA) summarized as:
Respecting the board’s collective decision‑making,
Acting ethically, openly, and honestly,
Maintaining confidentiality,
Disclosing conflicts of interest, and
Keeping the focus on student welfare and lawful governance
What does any of this have to do with violating Free Speech?
Lol…nothing. Like, less than nothing - if that’s possible.
Here’s what the 1st Amendment, as it relates to free speech, does:
The First Amendment restricts government action, not criticism from private citizens.
It says Congress (and by extension state/local governments) cannot make laws that restrict speech, press, religion, assembly, or petition.
It does not guarantee anyone freedom from criticism, social consequences, or professional expectations.
And here’s how badly Chandragiri is twisting the meaning of Free Speech in an attempt to create a safe space for his own special, protected speech
Confusing free speech with freedom from criticism:
Chandragiri suggests that other people saying “you shouldn’t post this” is a threat to their constitutional rights. That’s not true. Other citizens can criticize, argue, or call something “misinformation.” That’s their free speech.Framing consequences as censorship:
If the community or fellow board members object to a school board director posting political commentary, that isn’t government censorship. That’s democratic accountability and community feedback.Invoking First Amendment as a shield for job-related expectations:
As an elected official, Chandragiri does retain First Amendment rights, but those rights are not absolute in the context of their official role. For example, courts have upheld that public officials can face consequences for speech that undermines their duties (e.g., promoting discriminatory views, engaging in harassment, or creating conflicts of interest).
Honestly, Chandragiri’s complete misuse or misunderstanding of Free Speech should cause any parent and family in the Salem-Keizer School District to wonder how someone either so manipulative or dense could be in a position of authority of education.
So, in one late night rant, Chandragiri managed to insult his colleagues; appear to violate the OSBA code of conduct; and completely faceplant on his usage of a Free Speech argument. But that’s honestly not even the best part.
The very last line in his absurd post states, “May Gob Bless America.”
A hilarious typo that should only conjure up one image (and one song) in your mind:
**Here’s the full text of Chandragiri’s midnight ramble (as he originally posted it) if you want to bask in the full fucking stupidity of it all. Chandragiri has since significantly edited his post:
**First Amendment Free speech
Some want to BAN ME from writings on my social media anything that they perceive is political or my writings does not match their ideology.
Some have complained that as a School Board Director, I must not be allowed to share my views on political, national or international issues.
They don’t want me to write anything good about our President Trump, his efforts to seek ending of wars and killings, help our sovereignty, address crime and make cities safe, or write my views on how federal or state laws and policies have an impact on schools, our state or global affairs. They don’t even want me to share official documents from the federal government sites and write my opinion on them. They call it misinformation or some choice words!
They write- ‘It does not pertain to the school board’. While school boards are supposed to be non partisan, but watching the board vote as a one sided ideological cabal, one wonders if this is true anymore ?
I respect everyone’s FIRST AMENDMENT right of free speech and people having their own opinions including their right to be wrong. That is the best part of America.
Unfortunately this important constitutional right is under threat. I see a pattern of attempts at undermining free speech, de platform Dissenting perspective, cancel culture attacking those who have different opinions or plain ad hominem attacks. I have seen it all.
I have shared with my superintendent and previously with our legal counsel that as an elected school board director I retain my FIRST AMENDMENT right of free speech.
I believe that Diversity is accepting diverse perspectives, ideas, approaches including political perspectives. We must speak out courageously. It is sad that many have to hide behind ‘ anonymous or pseudonym’ comments to launch their attacks or decline to sit down and have a dialogue or debate to understand each other.
Like an ocean that receives different streams of river, a truly inclusive community should be open to different streams of wisdom, ideas, opinions- conservative and liberal views. Aiming for only solidarity will be antithesis to true diversity! I write to instigate discussion, debate, dialogue and speak truth to power. Not to entertain or appease anyone.
I will continue to write my views on not only local issues but also national and global issues. As Americans, I believe we all have a responsibility to speak up and do our part. I am open to sitting down and listening to you and sharing my views even if we may not agree.
My community deserves to know my authentic self when they have elected me as their school board director. I wish all elected leaders feel safe to share their opinions and views on a wide range of topics.
We can not be so self absorbed that we ignore injustices, global wars, malfeasance by those in power when they have weaponized their authority and misused their powers or their actions harmed or divided us. We all share responsibility to use our power and privilege to protect the sovereignty of our nation, uphold justice and help our nation becoming a perfect union. May Gob Bless America**
Here’s the original post, in screenshots:
