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‘Darth Vader’ comes out in favor of Flock cameras at San Diego city council meeting

The dark lord – or someone dressed like him – said the technology would aid the empire in tracking ‘rebel scum’

A man dressed as Darth Vader appeared to poke fun at San Diego officials for using Flock Safety automated license plate readers at a city council meeting this week, a stunt that comes as the company faces growing backlash linked to spying concerns.

The man, whose real identity remains unknown, masqueraded on Thursday as the Star Wars villain at a San Diego public safety committee meeting.

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© Photograph: City of San Diego

© Photograph: City of San Diego

© Photograph: City of San Diego

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He has a work permit, a coffee shop – and an ICE ankle monitor: ‘Is this America?’

Business owner Assim Alkhawaja was arrested by ICE as he dropped off Lyft passengers at a military base. Now he’s stuck in a terrifying fight to stay in the US

Deep within the bowels of San Diego’s federal courthouse, Assim Alkhawaja sat on the floor outside a nondescript office, waiting to be called for his ICE-mandated immigration appointment. He stared straight ahead, his posture tense, his face a mask.

The hallway was brown, as was the carpet. Above Alkhawaja’s head hung a framed stock photo of a waterfall. A few paces away, official government signs encouraged people without legal status to self-deport. “Leave on your own terms,” they read, in several languages. “Claim a free flight and an exit bonus for each member of your family.”

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© Photograph: Amanda Ulrich

© Photograph: Amanda Ulrich

© Photograph: Amanda Ulrich

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