Costumed Activist Channels Darth Vader to Oppose San Diego’s Surveillance Contract

At a recent San Diego City Council budget session, activist Anthony Ralphs appeared in a homemade Darth Vader outfit and used the platform to denounce the council’s decision to extend a $2.2 million contract with surveillance company Flock Safety. Ralphs, a DJ, event producer and agriculture consultant, said the vote proceeded despite overwhelming public dissent and a city budget shortfall that also eliminated arts funding.

He highlighted the wrongful imprisonment of local resident Hugo Parra, who spent 30 days in jail after an erroneous Flock camera tag, and noted that Parra and a friend are suing the city for $1.5 million. The video of the performance quickly spread on TikTok and Instagram, prompting a broader conversation about digital surveillance and the role of art in civic engagement. Ralphs described his preparation, from studying Star Wars gestures to crafting a costume with a voice-changing helmet, and expressed hope that such theatrical protests will make public meetings more dynamic. The incident underscores ongoing controversy over the use of AI-driven monitoring tools by law-enforcement agencies.