Cranford, NJ: the Township Committee meetings on record
This page lists 7 Cranford, NJ public meetings, held between April 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026, that Bongholeo, the civic-satire persona of New Jersey activist Mike Vintzileos, spoke at, recorded or published footage of. It also lists 1 related event: the October 14, 2026 candidates’ debate, where he was turned away at the door. Each entry gives its date and, where this site has one, a link to a video. It may not be a complete list.
The Cranford, NJ meeting of August 18, 2026
Bongholeo returns to the Cranford Township Committee meeting of August 18, 2026, his first appearance after the viral July 7 performance. Fog from the costume led the committee to call a recess and summon the fire department; the meeting was covered by Hoodline. Published September 4, 2026 on the Social Justice Waterpipe channel. Watch it on YouTube.
Was Bongholeo removed from the Cranford meetings?
Yes, more than once in 2026. The Leader (formerly The Westfield Leader) reported (April 23, 2026) that Cranford police removed Michael Vintzileos from the April 21, 2026 Township Committee meeting. On September 1, 2026, Cranford police removed Mike Vintzileos from the Township Committee chamber before the meeting was called to order, after he did not comply with the mayor’s requests to move his cameras into the designated filming zone and take his seat — The Leader reported it. On August 18, by his own account as reported by Hoodline, he left the building on police instruction after police told him he could re-enter if he removed the costume. On September 15, according to his own meeting tape, he was removed again for joining a chant during a disability-rights public comment. He was not arrested at any of these meetings, and he returned to speak on October 20, 2026.
The Cranford, NJ meetings on record
7 meetings and 1 related event, newest first. Dates are meeting dates, not video upload dates.
- . Bongholeo returned to the Cranford Township Committee and used his five minutes of public comment to perform a mock Doritos sponsorship ad. Watch the Cranford meeting tape of October 20, 2026
- . 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. Watch the tape of Bongholeo being turned away at the door of the October 14, 2026 candidates’ debate
- . Will Thilly’s first return to the Cranford podium since his July 7 arrest, recorded in full. Watch the Cranford meeting tape of October 6, 2026
- . According to his own meeting tape, 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. Watch the Cranford meeting tape of September 15, 2026
- . Removed from the chamber by Cranford police before the meeting was called to order, after not complying with the mayor’s requests to move his cameras into the designated filming zone and take his seat. The Leader (formerly The Westfield Leader) reported the removal and named him. Watch the Cranford meeting tape of September 1, 2026
- . 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). Watch the Cranford meeting tape of August 18, 2026
- . 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. Watch the Cranford meeting tape of July 7, 2026
- . Removed from the Township Committee meeting by Cranford police after repeatedly asking to approach the commissioners and present them with miniature American flags. The Leader (formerly The Westfield Leader) reported it on April 23, 2026 and named him.
News coverage
- WESTFIELD LEADER: Meeting Disruptions Continue In Cranford ()
- HEADY NJ: NJ Activist Explains Viral Free Speech Protest as Bongholeo in Cranford ()
- HOODLINE: Fake Bong Fog Halts Cranford Meeting, Sends Firefighters Rushing In ()
- NEWS 12: ‘Bong-Holeo’ returns to Cranford township meeting in costume ()
- STEREOGUM: Cranford Committee Meeting: One Man Sings Lizzo While Dressed As A Bong, Next Speaker Arrested After Singing Morrissey ()
- NJ 101.5: Purple bong, shouting and arrest turn Cranford meeting into chaos ()
- NEWS 12: ‘My name is Bong-Holeo.’ Strange cast of characters disrupt Cranford township meeting ()
- PATCH: Former Committee Candidate Arrested At Cranford Meeting: Court Record ()
- WESTFIELD LEADER: Meeting Disruptions Continue at Cranford Township Committee ()
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).
Other towns: Kenilworth, NJ · Franklin Township, NJ · Jackson, NJ
All meetings, town by town · The Cranford meeting that went national