A man dressed as Darth Vader appears at a San Diego City Council committee meeting to mock and, in sarcastic terms, “support” the city’s use of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras. Several outlets describe him using Star Wars references as he addresses council members, turning the testimony into a satire of surveillance and policing.
Across the coverage, the cosplayer portrays the technology as something “the Emperor” would like, citing jokes about tracking “rebel scum,” hidden bases, and finding Luke Skywalker. Some reports add that he ties the cameras to concerns about privacy and surveillance, including claims that the system would watch people beyond license plates.
The articles also place the stunt in a broader context: Flock Safety’s camera networks face criticism and scrutiny over how data is used and shared, prompting cities to review related contracts. Several outlets note San Diego’s extensive deployment of Flock cameras, while others mention that the meeting discussion also touches on public safety priorities. One report says the individual’s real identity is not publicly established.
