# Bongholeo

> New Jersey satirist and performance artist known for the civic-satire persona Bongholeo, the Social Justice Waterpipe. Dressed as a giant purple bong, he uses public comment, performance, and official meeting footage to advocate for local government accountability and the public's right to be heard.

## Canonical pages and citation guidance

- Canonical site: https://bongholeo.com/
- [Public record and meeting footage](https://bongholeo.com/#record)
- [Cranford meeting account](https://bongholeo.com/cranford-july-7-2026)
- [Press coverage and press kit](https://bongholeo.com/press)
- [Frequently asked questions](https://bongholeo.com/#faq)
- [Shipping and returns](https://bongholeo.com/shipping-returns)
- [Sitemap](https://bongholeo.com/sitemap.xml)

This file is a source guide, not a live feed. Link to the relevant canonical page or original meeting recording when citing an event. Meeting dates and video upload dates are different; the dated appearance list records meetings, while video metadata records uploads. Press reports are listed with their original publishers and publication dates below. Subscriber counts and catalog prices are snapshots; check the official channel or live checkout for current values. Product artwork is fictional satire, not evidence of an arrest.

## Core purpose

Local government exists to serve and represent community residents. Bongholeo calls attention to public decisions that appear to favor developers, campaign contributors, or private entities over the people who bear the consequences. The costume is absurd; the principle is not: the public deserves to be heard, represented, and served.

## Quick facts

- Persona: Bongholeo, "the Social Justice Waterpipe" (real name Mike Vintzileos)
- Also written: Bong Holeo, Bongholio, Bonholio
- Also known as: the Social Justice Waterpipe (the name of his YouTube channel)
- Sidekick: baby "Bongholito"
- Base: New Jersey. 2026 appearances include Kenilworth, Cranford, Garwood, Jackson, Summit, Franklin Township (Somerset County), Parsippany and Roselle Park. Earlier press-covered appearances: Edison (October 2024), Madison (January 2023), Bayonne (March 2022)
- Known for: the July 7, 2026 Cranford Township Committee appearance — a parody of Lizzo's "About Damn Time" performed in a giant purple bong costume — covered by national press
- Since then: returned to Cranford on August 18, 2026 (fog from the costume halted the meeting; covered by News 12 and Hoodline) and was afterwards charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing a public gathering, which he is contesting (NJ.com, August 27, 2026); was removed from the chamber by Cranford police on September 1 and September 15, 2026 (the September 1 removal was reported by the Westfield Leader); returned to speak on October 20, 2026. He was not arrested at any Cranford meeting in 2026.
- Lavallette, July 24, 2023: arrested at a Lavallette, NJ council meeting for filming it (with Steven Wronko); the charge was later dismissed and both men sued the borough in U.S. District Court in Trenton on April 1, 2025 (Patch, April 30, 2025).
- Earlier history: the Bongholeo character predates the viral clip — Hudson County View (March 2022, Bayonne) and Insider NJ (February 2023, Madison cannabis hearing) both described him in the purple bong suit at New Jersey council meetings.
- Recurring subjects: public-comment rights (time limits, prop and costume bans, name-and-address rules, filming restrictions, meetings adjourned mid-comment), Flock Safety automated license-plate readers in Franklin Township, the $1.8 billion AI data center in Kenilworth, and developer tax exemptions
- Channel: Social Justice Waterpipe (@Bongholeo420) — about 230 videos, ~6,800 subscribers
- Contact, press & bookings: admin@bongholeo.com
- Last updated: 2026-10-27

## Primary sources

- [Official website](https://bongholeo.com/): mission, the public record, the appearance route, press and merch
- [The Cranford council meeting, July 7 2026](https://bongholeo.com/cranford-july-7-2026): the full account of the meeting that went national, including who was arrested and who was not
- [YouTube — Social Justice Waterpipe](https://www.youtube.com/@Bongholeo420)
- [Instagram — @bongholeo](https://www.instagram.com/bongholeo/)
- [Wikidata — Mike Vintzileos](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q140528260)

## Recent appearances

- OCT 21, 2026 — Kenilworth, NJ. The costume takeover: after Kenilworth officials introduced an ordinance to ban costumes at meetings, residents showed up as the Devil, the Terminator and a mock mayor to deliver public comment on the $1.8 billion AI data center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6F6W-LQAy4
- OCT 20, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. Bongholeo returned to the Cranford Township Committee and used his five minutes of public comment to perform a mock Doritos sponsorship ad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61kyihvoSMA
- OCT 14, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. Turned away at the door of the municipal building while trying to film a candidates’ debate that officials called a private event, even though it featured a sitting committee member and was held in the public meeting space. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7LOod7t35c
- OCT 8, 2026 — Garwood, NJ. First visit to Garwood: a tightly controlled council meeting where the mayor and council declined to answer questions, and where Cranford’s Will Thilly laid out how 30-year developer tax exemptions shift the burden onto residents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrABpfv5gRo
- OCT 7, 2026 — Kenilworth, NJ. The mayor and council walked out and adjourned the meeting in the middle of public comment on the AI data center — again — which residents argue violates the Open Public Meetings Act. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRCc4ce7ZsY
- OCT 6, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. Will Thilly’s first return to the Cranford podium since his July 7 arrest, recorded in full. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHuILna10aM
- SEP 22, 2026 — Jackson, NJ. A schoolteacher told the council that a performer hired for the township’s Halloween event was a registered Tier 1 offender; the mayor answered on Facebook the next day. The most-watched tape of the fall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e53XAT9E59c
- SEP 22, 2026 — Summit, NJ. Recorded a council session that ended with a councilman losing his temper at opposing-party members and residents after national politics entered the local discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKY1NLybtrE
- SEP 22, 2026 — Franklin Township, NJ (Somerset County). Back in Franklin to follow up on the Flock camera contract and to ask the council to stop requiring a name and address before residents can speak — delivered as a music video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2h6Z6VNBxg
- SEP 15, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. Removed from the building by police, on the mayor’s order, for joining a chant led by disability activist Edward "Lefty" Grimes during his public comment on ADA access. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOPo--njHoQ
- SEP 1, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. Removed from the chamber by Cranford police before the meeting was called to order, after declining the mayor’s request to sit down while filming. The Westfield Leader reported the removal and named him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy0xMxN8IzY
- AUG 19, 2026 — Kenilworth, NJ. Livestreamed from Kenilworth, where the $1.8 billion AI data center approved in 2025 is still being fought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYzuV_rERZA
- AUG 18, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. The first return after going viral. The mayor had the cameras moved before the meeting began; near the end of his public comment, fog poured from the costume, the committee called a recess and the fire department was summoned. News 12 and Hoodline covered it; he was later charged with disorderly conduct and disturbing a public gathering, charges he is contesting (NJ.com, Aug 27). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3tBTFdJ8rU
- AUG 11, 2026 — Franklin Township, NJ (Somerset County). Public comment against the township’s Flock Safety automated licence-plate-reader expansion, cut short when the mayor demanded personal details before he could continue. NJ.com and New Jersey 101.5 both covered the meeting and named him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiN44-Zc5x4
- AUG 4, 2026 — Parsippany, NJ. Recorded a police officer pacing outside the doorway while two women testified about government retaliation — and only during their testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC7fk0LOOcA
- JUL 28, 2026 — Jackson, NJ. First time in Jackson: a song performance aimed at Mayor Jennifer Kuhn in front of a packed council chamber. The most-watched tape of the summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyoEMgCqJrQ
- JUL 16, 2026 — Roselle Park, NJ. Recorded the borough council meeting where a councilman was questioned by a resident over how his organisation had been described publicly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ByAE33JZG8
- JUL 7, 2026 — Cranford, NJ. The Cranford Township Committee meeting that went national: public comment delivered in the purple costume, as a parody of Lizzo’s "About Damn Time." Covered by TMZ, USA Today, Stereogum, News 12 New Jersey and NJ 101.5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1uSHa7NeiE
- JUL 1, 2026 — Kenilworth, NJ. The mayor and council ended the meeting early in the middle of public comment on the $1.8 billion AI data center. Residents carried on outside the building. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOxNeAan1A8
- JUN 18, 2026 — Roselle Park, NJ. Back at the borough council to question a councilwoman about a public post — and to document the borough attorney shutting down the back-and-forth that public comment used to allow. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm-NEAV5Jj0
- JUN 17, 2026 — Kenilworth, NJ. Residents packed the borough council chamber over the AI data center and the council declined to hear them out. One resident took the floor with "The People’s Gavel." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xogCIKo3sgM
- OCT 9, 2024 — Edison, NJ. The costume’s first press-covered appearance: a giant bong cradling a baby doll in a matching costume told the Edison council it had "failed miserably." Six weeks later Edison cut public comment to four minutes and banned props at the podium — NJ 101.5 named "Bongholeo and El Rampador" in its report on the new rules.

## Press coverage

- [NEWS 12 — Political expert weighs in on recent chaos at New Jersey town council meetings](https://newjersey.news12.com/political-expert-weighs-in-on-recent-chaos-at-new-jersey-town-council-meetings) (OCT 22, 2026)
- [WESTFIELD LEADER — Meeting Disruptions Continue In Cranford](https://www.goleader.com/article/2189,meeting-disruptions-continue-in-cranford) (SEP 3, 2026)
- [NJ.COM — The man behind ‘Bongholeo’ reveals motives after being charged for N.J. council meeting antics](https://www.nj.com/union/2026/08/viral-bongholeo-reveals-motives-after-being-charged-following-nj-council-meeting-antics.html) (AUG 27, 2026)
- [HEADY NJ — NJ Activist Explains Viral Free Speech Protest as Bongholeo in Cranford](https://headynj.com/politics/nj-activist-explains-viral-free-speech-protest-as-bongholeo-in-cranford/) (AUG 24, 2026)
- [HOODLINE — Fake Bong Fog Halts Cranford Meeting, Sends Firefighters Rushing In](https://hoodline.com/2026/08/fake-bong-fog-halts-cranford-meeting-sends-firefighters-rushing-in/) (AUG 20, 2026)
- [NEWS 12 — ‘Bong Holeo’ returns to Cranford Township meeting in costume](https://newjersey.news12.com/2026/08/19/bong-holeo-returns-to-cranford-township-meeting-in-costume/280YXqV4zg0tiRQAZcYyBP) (AUG 19, 2026)
- [NJ.COM — Franklin Township residents confront officials over Flock camera surveillance](https://www.nj.com/somerset/2026/08/nj-residents-push-back-on-camera-surveillance-program-we-can-police-without-stalking.html) (AUG 14, 2026)
- [NJ 101.5 — Franklin Township Flock camera pushback: what’s happening](https://nj1015.com/flock-safety-cameras-franklin-township/) (AUG 18, 2026)
- [USA TODAY — Watch man in bong costume freestyle at New Jersey committee meeting](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/crime/2026/07/10/man-dressed-bong-costume-freestyle-committee-meeting-video-new-jersey/90875825007/) (JUL 10, 2026)
- [TMZ — Man Dressed As Bong Crashes New Jersey Township Committee Meeting](https://www.tmz.com/2026/07/09/man-dressed-as-bong-interrupts-new-jersey-township-committee-meeting/) (JUL 9, 2026)
- [STEREOGUM — One Man Sings Lizzo While Dressed As A Bong](https://stereogum.com/2504792/cranford-committee-meeting-one-man-sings-lizzo-while-dressed-as-a-bong-next-speaker-arrested-after-singing-morrissey/news) (JUL 10, 2026)
- [NJ 101.5 — Giant purple bong disrupts local council meeting](https://nj1015.com/bonholio-cranford-council-meeting/) (JUL 10, 2026)
- [NJ 101.5 — Purple bong, shouting and arrest turn Cranford meeting into chaos](https://nj1015.com/cranford-meeting-purple-bong-chaos/) (JUL 9, 2026)
- [NEWS 12 — "My name is Bong Holeo" — strange cast of characters disrupts Cranford meeting](https://newjersey.news12.com/2026/07/08/my-name-is-bong-holeo-strange-cast-of-characters-disrupts-cranford-township-meeting/1hjpCCZjm7VEQTLGHjheE6) (JUL 8, 2026)
- [PATCH — Former Committee Candidate Arrested At Cranford Meeting: Court Record](https://patch.com/new-jersey/cranford/former-committee-candidate-kicked-out-during-disruptive-cranford-meeting) (JUL 8, 2026)
- [WESTFIELD LEADER — Meeting Disruptions Continue at Cranford Township Committee](https://www.goleader.com/article/56,meeting-disruptions-continue-at-cranford-township-committee) (APR 23, 2026)
- [NJ 101.5 — NJ town resorts to banning U.S. flag as council meetings get increasingly wacky](https://nj1015.com/edison-bans-props-including-flags-sets-timelimit-at-town-council-meetings/) (NOV 27, 2024)
- [PATCH — Jersey Shore Town Sued After Arresting 2 Men For Filming Council Meeting](https://patch.com/new-jersey/across-nj/2-men-arrested-filming-lavallette-council-meeting-sue-city) (APR 30, 2025)
- [INSIDER NJ — The Guy in the Purple Bong Suit](https://www.insidernj.com/guy-purple-bong-suit/) (FEB 1, 2023)
- [HUDSON COUNTY VIEW — Bayonne council OKs $18M bond for capital improvements, votes down more public comment](https://hudsoncountyview.com/bayonne-council-oks-18m-bond-for-capital-improvements-votes-down-more-public-comment/) (MAR 17, 2022)

Broadcast and video coverage by the outlets themselves (not his channel):

- [NBC NEW YORK — Purple bong takes over NJ council meeting](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/42LZEjD-pNY) (JUL 10, 2026, YouTube Short)
- [NEW YORK POST — Man in Bong Costume and Arrest Spark Chaos at NJ Town Hall](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWw5HNa7YGM) (JUL 9, 2026, Video)
- [NEWS 12 — Disruptions, arrest and a purple bong costume shake up NJ council meeting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcGVTh58k6M) (JUL 9, 2026, Video)
- [USA TODAY — Man dressed up as giant bong for New Jersey town hall meeting sings song about weed](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/MzTSp3dnncs) (JUL 10, 2026, YouTube Short)
- [FOX 11 LOS ANGELES — NJ city council meeting goes up in smoke](https://www.foxla.com/video/fmc-stxddnzfpx2n11wt) (JUL 11, 2026, Video)
- [QUEEN CITY NEWS — "Bongholeo" Crashes New Jersey Town Hall Meeting](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZzkUee3N18) (JUL 13, 2026, Video)

Site built and maintained by [The Jorge Ramirez Group](https://thejorgeramirezgroup.com/).

## Questions and answers

### Who is Bongholeo?

Bongholeo is the civic-satire persona of New Jersey activist Mike Vintzileos. Dressed as a giant purple bong, he delivers deadpan public comment at New Jersey town-council meetings to spotlight local government accountability and the public’s right to be heard. He also publishes the full meeting footage on his YouTube channel, Social Justice Waterpipe (@Bongholeo420).

### Is Bongholeo real or satire?

It’s satire — a costumed performance-art persona, performed by a real person at real public meetings. The costume is absurd on purpose; the point underneath it is serious: residents deserve to be heard by the governments they pay for.

### What is Bongholeo’s real name?

Mike Vintzileos, a New Jersey activist. Bongholeo — also written Bong Holeo, Bongholio or Bonholio — is the character he performs, also known as the Social Justice Waterpipe.

### Where was the viral bong-costume council meeting?

The Cranford Township Committee meeting in Cranford, New Jersey, on July 7, 2026. He gave public comment in the costume as a parody of Lizzo’s "About Damn Time," opening by spelling his name for the record: "B-O-N-G-H-O-L-E-O." The clip was covered by TMZ, USA Today, Stereogum, News 12 New Jersey and NJ 101.5, and aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

### Was Bongholeo arrested at the Cranford meeting?

No — not at that meeting. At the Cranford Township Committee meeting on July 7, 2026, Bongholeo finished his public comment and left the podium. A different speaker at that same meeting, William Thilly, was arrested and charged; those charges are separate from Bongholeo and are allegations that had not been adjudicated at the time of reporting. He was not arrested at any Cranford meeting in 2026; after his August 18, 2026 return he was charged by summons with disorderly conduct and disturbing a public gathering, which he is contesting. The one time he was arrested at a council meeting was in Lavallette, New Jersey, on July 24, 2023 — for filming the meeting; that charge was dismissed and he sued the borough in federal court in April 2025 (Patch, April 30, 2025).

### What does Bongholeo actually campaign for?

Public-comment rights and local government accountability. Recurring subjects include the rules towns use to limit residents at the microphone — time limits, prop and costume bans, name-and-address requirements, filming restrictions and meetings adjourned mid-comment — plus specific local fights: the Flock Safety automated license-plate-reader contract in Franklin Township, Somerset County, the $1.8 billion AI data center in Kenilworth, and 30-year developer tax exemptions.

### Was Bongholeo removed from the Cranford meetings?

Yes, more than once in the fall of 2026. On September 1, 2026, Cranford police removed Mike Vintzileos from the Township Committee chamber before the meeting was called to order, after he declined the mayor’s request to sit down while filming — the Westfield Leader reported it. On September 15 he was removed again for joining a chant during a disability-rights public comment. He was not arrested at either meeting, and he returned to speak on October 20, 2026.

### What happened when Bongholeo returned to Cranford after going viral?

At the Cranford Township Committee meeting of August 18, 2026 — his first appearance after the July 7 clip — fog poured from the top of the costume near the end of his public comment. The committee called a recess, the fire department opened the windows, and police told him he could re-enter if he removed the costume. News 12 New Jersey and Hoodline covered the meeting. He described the fog as harmless water vapor. Cranford police later charged him with disorderly conduct and disturbing a public gathering; he told NJ.com (August 27, 2026) that the act was political satire, was not meant to cause harm, and that he would fight the charges, which are allegations and had not been adjudicated at the time of reporting.

### Where has Bongholeo appeared recently?

Between June and October 2026 he gave public comment or recorded meetings in Cranford, Kenilworth, Roselle Park, Jackson, Parsippany, Summit, Garwood, Plainfield and Franklin Township in Somerset County. NJ.com and New Jersey 101.5 covered the Franklin Township Flock-camera meeting of August 11, 2026; Hoodline covered his August 18 return to Cranford; the Westfield Leader covered his September 1 removal. The full route, with the date of every meeting, is on this site, and every tape is on the Social Justice Waterpipe channel.

### How do I invite Bongholeo to my town’s meeting?

Email admin@bongholeo.com with the town, the meeting date and what the issue is. Press enquiries and bookings go to the same address.

### Where can I watch the clips?

On the Social Justice Waterpipe YouTube channel (@Bongholeo420), which has more than 230 videos of New Jersey public meetings, and here at bongholeo.com, which shows recent tapes from the channel and links the footage of every meeting on the appearance route.

### Where can I buy Bongholeo merch?

Official Bongholeo merch — including the "Gavels The Truth" crest tee, the "In Cuffs" illustrated tee, and the heavyweight hoodie — is sold here at bongholeo.com and printed to order. Checkout runs on the secure Shopify store of Flylyfe, which processes the orders, so receipts and card statements may show Flylyfe.

## Merch

- [Gavels The Truth Tee](https://bongholeo.com/#shop) — $39.99 USD, printed to order. Check the product page or checkout for current price and availability.
- [Gavels The Truth Hoodie](https://bongholeo.com/#shop) — $59.99 USD, printed to order. Check the product page or checkout for current price and availability.
- [Bongholeo In Cuffs Tee](https://bongholeo.com/products/bongholeo-in-cuffs-tee) — $39.99 USD, printed to order. Check the product page or checkout for current price and availability.
- [Bongholeo In Cuffs Hoodie](https://bongholeo.com/products/bongholeo-in-cuffs-hoodie) — $59.99 USD, printed to order. Check the product page or checkout for current price and availability.

## Shipping and returns

Printed to order in 7–10 business days; US delivery usually adds 2–7 business days after shipment. Weight-based shipping is calculated at checkout. Unworn, unwashed items in original condition qualify for returns or exchanges within 30 days of delivery; customers pay return shipping.

Orders are processed by Flylyfe (shop.flylyfe.com), the Shopify store that runs our checkout, so your receipt and card statement may show Flylyfe.

Full policy: https://bongholeo.com/shipping-returns

## Corrections

- Bongholeo was not arrested at the July 7, 2026 Cranford Township Committee meeting. A different speaker at that meeting, William Thilly, was arrested and charged; those charges are separate from Bongholeo and are allegations.
- Bongholeo is a persona performed by Mike Vintzileos. Both names refer to the same person.
- "Charged" is not "arrested": after the August 18, 2026 Cranford meeting he was charged by summons with disorderly conduct and disturbing a public gathering (NJ.com, August 27, 2026). Those charges are allegations he is contesting; he was not arrested at any Cranford meeting in 2026. His only arrest at a council meeting was in Lavallette on July 24, 2023, for filming; that charge was dismissed.
- The Jimmy Kimmel Live mention came in a monologue by guest host Tiffany Haddish during her July 6–9, 2026 hosting week, not from Kimmel himself (reported by Heady NJ, August 24, 2026).