Darth Vader descended from the Galactic Empire into a San Diego City Council meeting to deliver a passionate, strange defense of the controversial Flock cameras.
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Well, maybe not the real Dark Lord, but a California man insanely committed to the bit did his best Darth Vader impression during a Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting.
Clothed in Darth Vader's patented helmet, black robe and even using the Star Wars antagonist's heavy, labored breathing between sentences, a man spoke at length about Flock camera usage during the city council meeting.
"This is what the emperor needs. This technology will help us find the rebel scum and the hidden base on Hoth," he said, referencing the frozen planet from "The Empire Strikes Back."
Darth Vader Cosplayer Invades City Council Meeting
The cosplayer urged city officials to use the cameras to track "rebel scum" as they traveled "from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium."
"Because we all know that the Flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children," he said.
Before long, the costumed speaker branched out into other controversial topics, such as raising taxes to clear storm drains and remove homeless encampments in the city.
Oddly, the Star Wars-inspired speaker advised the city council to use "Jedi mind tricks" to convince San Diego residents that they have their best interests at heart.
"And how will the people trust this City Council when this City Council continues to vote for surveillance technology that imprisons them? Ms. Campbell, you must work on your Jedi mind tricks," he said, addressing City Council member Jennifer Campbell, before waving his hand to the audience. "Do it like this."
San Diego annually hosts Comic Con, a comic book convention and multi-genre entertainment event that attracts thousands of visitors, so cosplayers are not uncommon in the area.
Still, a man dressed as Darth Vader discussing politics during a city council meeting is a rare sight.
Although rare, it is not the first time that a cosplayer has taken the podium this year.
In January, a man dressed as Batman ripped Santa Monica city officials for the deployment of ICE agents in the area.
