Flock cameras are controversial to say the least. But the dystopian surveillance company has at least one fan: Darth Vader.
A man dressed as the Star Wars villain spoke Wednesday night at a San Diego City Council meeting regarding public safety. The unidentified man (he was only addressed as “Darth Vader” when members of the public were allowed to speak) walked up to the microphone with his trademark breathing audible.
“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,” Mr. Vader said.
“Because we all know that the Flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children. They are following children in parks and gymnasiums. And we need this. I need this so I can stalk my ex-girlfriend,” the Dark Lord continued.
The people behind him were quite amused.
Countless law enforcement officers have been using Flock cameras to stalk their ex-girlfriends, ex-wives, and other family members. The officers use Flock’s technology to search for license plates, one of the many reasons public backlash against Flock has been so brutal in recent months.
Darth Vader went on to talk about how storm drains in San Diego shouldn’t be cleared, and more money should be used for “surveillance technology that imprisons” the population. Vader also mocked claims that police services in the city had become “more humanitarian,” comparing it to a Jedi mind trick. He also praised a ban on camping in the city, which effectively criminalizes homelessness.
“This technology will help us find Luke Skywalker as he traverses the universe in his X-Wing. This technology is a necessary, necessary force,” said Vader.
Darth Vader also celebrated the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, the ICE detention facility run by private prison company CoreCivic. The concentration camp is notorious in the community as President Donald Trump continues his purge of anyone in the country who’s not white.
The Dark Lord’s discussion of Flock was actually the second time he spoke during the 3-hour meeting. His first appearance praised the council, saying the “Chomo Emperor” was pleased, presumably a reference to President Trump given his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The word “chomo” is short for “child molester,” though President Trump has never been charged with sexual offenses against children.
“We do not need parks. We do not need libraries. We do not need daycare centers. We do not need homeless shelters,” said Vader. “All we need is money for our stormtroopers. And anyone that disagrees is part of the rebel alliance and scum, and they should be taken away immediately.”
Flock has become a lightning rod of controversy with viral videos on social media showing how to vandalize and destroy the cameras that blanket the U.S. Many Flock cameras have been cut down, but some alleged vandals have been arrested, including a 35-year-old man in Louisville, Kentucky, this week.
Flock didn’t immediately respond to questions Thursday about Darth Vader’s testimony. Gizmodo will update this article if we hear back. And if you were the man who dressed up as Darth Vader last night, drop us a line at [email protected]. We’d love to hear about your plans for keeping the rebel scum in line.
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