Sith Lord weighs in: Man dressed as Darth Vader mocks Flock cameras in San Diego

Digital Curator

A video of a man dressed as Darth Vader from “Star Wars” speaking to officials in San Diego, California, about Flock cameras during a public meeting Wednesday has gone viral.

The comments from “Lord Vader” come as a nationwide debate over the use of the popular surveillance technology continues across the United States.

According to CNN, there are reportedly more than 500 Flock cameras set up in San Diego, and the debate over the license plate reading cameras has raised questions about the balance of public safety and privacy.

Using “dark side” references from “Star Wars” and irony to make his points, the cosplayer spoke during public comment at the Public Safety and Livable Neighborhoods Committee meeting.

“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 — because we all know that the Flock cameras are not only following the license plate readers, they are following children,” he said through Vader-esque breathing sounds. “They are following children in parks and gymnasiums, and we need this.”

While some may have thought he was in favor of the use of the cameras when he first started speaking, it became clear that the man’s comments were satirical as he included a joke about using the technology to “stalk my ex-girlfriend.”

His comments drew some chuckles from onlookers at the meeting.

By the end of his speech, the man dressed as Vader dropped his Jedi mind tricks by issuing a clear criticism of the use of the technology.

“And how will the people trust this city council when this city council continues to vote for surveillance technology that imprisons them?” he said.

He also addressed clogged storm drains.

See the video and hear his full comments in the video player at the top.

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CNN contributed to this report