"Dressed in a Batman costume, an anonymous activist strode up to the dais with his cape billowing behind him as he addressed the Santa Clara City Council meeting last week. "What the f-k are we doing here?" he asked during a blistering public comment as he condemned the city's failure to sufficiently prepare for immigration enforcement activity ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl."
"Clips of his exchange went viral on social media, resonating with millions of viewers, including singer SZA. "I almost didn't wear the costume that night. I felt that it needed that extra bit of absurdity to force people to pay attention," the activist said in an interview with SFGATE after the meeting. "I guarantee that the video would not have gotten as much traction had I not put on that costume.""
"The San Jose resident, who asked that his real name not be used to avoid retaliation by federal authorities against him and his family and was granted anonymity in accordance with Hearst's ethics policy, said this was not his first time appearing as the superhero in order to help people. For nearly eight years, the activist known as "Batman" has walked around San Jose in a homemade costume, distributing water, food and first-aid supplies to unhoused residents while documenting encampment clearings."
He addressed the Santa Clara City Council in a Batman costume and condemned the city's lack of preparation for immigration enforcement ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl. Clips of the exchange went viral on social media and resonated with millions, including singer SZA. The costume was chosen deliberately to add absurdity and draw attention to the issue. The San Jose resident maintains anonymity to avoid federal retaliation against his family. For eight years he has patrolled San Jose in a homemade Batman outfit, distributing water, food and first-aid, documenting encampment clearings and intervening to help unhoused residents. The volunteering began after he helped a woman living in her vehicle when others refused.
Read at SFGATE
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