Darth Vader satirizes Flock cameras at San Diego council meeting

A man dressed as the Star Wars villain Darth Vader delivered a satirical speech in defense of controversial surveillance cameras at a San Diego city council meeting, using the character to mock the technology's potential for abuse. The incident occurred during the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting on August 19, 2026. The costumed speaker, addressed by committee members as "Darth Vader," used references to the Galactic Empire to ironically advocate for the city's Flock camera system.

The unidentified speaker delivered approximately two minutes of remarks, complete with the character's trademark breathing. He declared, "The emperor is a fan of Flock, and we must continue utilizing Flock technologies so that we can follow and surveil the rebel scum as they move from playground to playground, from playground to pool, from pool to gymnasium." He added that the cameras are "following children in parks and gymnasiums," and joked, "I need this so I can stalk my ex-girlfriend."

The satire then shifted to more direct criticism of government trust and police funding. Vader asked how residents could trust a council that continues to vote for surveillance technology....