San Diego Activist Dons Darth Vader Costume to Mock Council's Flock Contract
Anthony Ralphs, a DJ and agriculture consultant, dressed as Darth Vader during a San Diego City Council budget meeting to criticize the council's renewal of its contract with surveillance firm Flock Safety. His recorded remarks, delivered in character, went viral on TikTok and Instagram. Ralphs has spent nearly a year advocating against the city's use of Flock's technology, which has faced scrutiny over police misuse and expanded monitoring capabilities.
Ralphs, a DJ and agriculture consultant, began attending council meetings last summer but became fully engaged after a December vote where roughly 300 residents—95 percent opposed—gathered to protest Flock, yet the council approved the contract anyway. He later noticed attendance dwindled to just a handful, prompting him to take time off school for consistent advocacy.
The city faces a $120 million deficit and cut arts programs while funding Flock's $2.2 million contract. A local man, Hugo Parra, was falsely imprisoned for 30 days due to an erroneous Flock camera tag; he and a friend are suing the city for $1.5 million. Ralphs used a 2004 Hasbro Vader mask for the stunt.
This viral stunt could shift public discourse around surveillance technology by making complex policy debates more accessible and emotionally resonant. Residents in heavily policed communities may feel their concerns gain visibility, while city officials could face increased pressure to scrutinize vendor contracts and police data practices. The case may also encourage other activists to use creative protest methods, potentially influencing how municipalities weigh cost, civil liberties, and public sentiment in future technology decisions.