'Batman' clashes with U.S. city officials over ICE
It's not just Katy Perry or Billie Eilish who are speaking out against the embattled Trump-era pet department Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Last Tuesday, a man dressed as Batman stormed a Santa Clara City Council meeting to demand action over the possible deployment of federal immigration officers at the upcoming Super Bowl.
Footage circulating online shows the costumed protester, whose name was not disclosed, addressing council members at the Levi’s Stadium-adjacent meeting on Jan. 27. He called the officials “cowards” and warned that “hundreds of masked men” could descend on the city if local authorities failed to push back against ICE operations.
The man’s dramatic entrance and repeated swearing drew attention on a livestream of the meeting, as he implored the council to “reaffirm” that Santa Clara would not provide city resources to support federal immigration enforcement during the Feb. 8 NFL championship between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
He referenced recent killings by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month, framing the concern as part of a broader pattern of violence by ICE and federal law enforcement.
Santa Clara Police Chief Cory Morgan declined to comment on ICE’s presence, saying the department would not “confirm, deny, or speculate about” the actions of federal agencies.
The appearance comes amid heightened national scrutiny of ICE following fatal shootings during enforcement operations in Minnesota, which left two people dead and several others detained.
Corey Lewandowski, a Department of Homeland Security adviser, had previously indicated that ICE would be present at the Super Bowl, though details of their role remain unclear.
'Some heroes wear capes'
Online reactions to the Batman-clad speaker were divided.
Some dismissed the intervention as a publicity stunt, while others praised the theatrics as a bold call to accountability. One viewer wrote, “Some heroes do wear capes,” while another added, “You guys might be laughing, but he got his message out.”
The man’s intervention underscores growing tensions between federal enforcement agencies and local authorities over the use of city resources and the scope of ICE operations in major public events.
Santa Clara officials, meanwhile, have not publicly indicated any plans to curtail ICE’s involvement, highlighting the delicate balance local governments face between public safety, federal authority, and political pressure.
As the Super Bowl approaches, the presence of federal officers in and around Levi’s Stadium is likely to remain a point of controversy, amplified by protests, public commentary, and now a masked man in Batman attire demanding accountability.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
