In a bizarre turn of events at San Diego City Council’s budget meeting, Darth Vader made an unexpected appearance to support the controversial surveillance company Flock Safety. Anthony Ralphs, a local activist, donned the iconic Sith Lord costume to highlight his opposition and to draw attention to the city's $2.2 million contract with Flock.

‘The Emperor is a fan of Flock,’ declared the masked man, echoing his commitment to surveillance over privacy. This stunt has gone viral, reaching millions on TikTok and Instagram. Ralphs, who initially kept his identity hidden behind the mask, decided to take ownership as the video gained traction.

His advocacy stems from concerns about misuse of surveillance technology, including a case where Hugo Parra was falsely imprisoned for 30 days due to an erroneous tag by Flock cameras. The costs associated with lawsuits against the city further complicate the issue, adding another million dollars to the contract. Ralphs highlights how art can play a significant role in civic engagement, inspired by his experience with labor studies and organizing.

'I was trying to think of how I could satirize their points,' he explained. 'They seemed to have a lack of self-awareness.' With a voice changer and silk cape from Turkey, Ralphs brought the spirit of Star Wars to the council chambers, showing that sometimes, in the struggle for justice, even a Sith Lord can help.