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'Darth Vader' Seeks Free Land In Odesa, Welcomes Authorities To 'Dark Side'




Reuters has the story of a creative protest from a resident of the Ukrainian Black Sea resort of Odesa (and his film crew):

An Odessite dressed as the Star Wars villain visited the mayor's office this week to claim a free land plot citing Ukrainian legislation which grants every citizen the right to own 1,000 square metres of land.

His visit followed a decision by city authorities to grant attractive land plots along the sea coast to a group of people for free, prompting public concerns about corruption, according to local media.

The mayor's office has since said the move was a mistake but has not yet cancelled it, according to local news website Dumskaya.net.

"I am Darth Vader, the right hand of Emperor Palpatine," the man introduced himself to amused policemen, as seen in a video posted on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezFBvrqQChM) and accompanied by the Imperial March music.

"...Knowing that many [local legislature] deputies and the mayor have switched to the dark side.... I have come for a land plot...for my space cruiser."

The application is reportedly under review.

-- Central Newsroom

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