L. Peo Tonito's Work on the Streets Can Only Do So Much

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The absurdity of facing down a superhero forces drivers to think differently about car culture. Peo Tonito works alongside other pedestrian activists at a grassroots organization called Sunset for All. In September, Los Angeles City Council member Mitch O'Farrell issued a formal motion to support their project. The Bald Knobbers were an example of this sort of group that wore masks and executed vigilante justice in the Wild West.

Los Angeles' El Peatonito is part of a subset of real life superheroes who are more focused on things like picking up trash and taking on civic issues than catching criminals in alleys.

These super citizens take their inspiration from comic books but in some ways have more ambitious goals than defeating a make believe villain. They are out to solve big societal problems. Wherever a city is plagued by traffic accidents, or people are living on the streets…these heroes heed the call of service.

Super Citizens

Check out David Weinberg's brilliant series The Superhero Complex