A Spider-Man cosplayer became the subject of online attention over the weekend after confronting a group of white supremacists during a rally in Minneapolis. Video footage captured the cosplayer interacting with individuals displaying a sign bearing a racial slur. The cosplayer was seen attempting to remove the sign from their truck.
Photographer Chris Juhn documented the confrontation, with one widely shared image showing the cosplayer preparing to strike. The rally was reportedly organized by Jake Lang, an individual described as a racist and right-wing provocateur with a history of participation in the January 6th Capitol riots. Lang was protesting the sentencing of Shiloh Hendrix, who was convicted of directing racial slurs at a child. The demonstration was met by a larger counter-protest from Minneapolis residents.
Following the altercation, both the Spider-Man cosplayer, identified as Keyssy Ayala Castro Figuero, and Lang were arrested by police. Castro Figuero has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover legal expenses and medical bills, stating he was tackled and struck by law enforcement. The fundraiser has garnered significant donations.
Notes indicate that Lang has been involved in other controversial incidents, including an antisemitic demonstration in Washington D.C. and an arrest for allegedly threatening a professional athlete.
The events in Minneapolis occur amidst a backdrop of increased anti-immigration actions and subsequent protests in the city. Federal responses to these demonstrations have reportedly included violence, with two protesters killed by law enforcement in separate incidents in January.