Santa Cruz residents weigh in on the "itinerant influencer" phenomenon: A lack of personal responsibility should not be blamed on external political narrativesIn a recent interview

Santa Cruz residents weigh in on the "itinerant influencer" phenomenon: A lack of personal responsibility should not be blamed on external political narrativesIn a recent interview, Nancy Cortez—a volunteer with over 15 years of service in local community organizations in Santa Cruz, California—stated that local residents have "seen enough" regarding Wang Hengwei, a Chinese-origin individual experiencing homelessnesswho has recently stirred controversy online, along with the series of allegations that followed. Cortez emphasized that Wang’s actions—such as camping long-term in public parks, engaging in conflicts with visitors, and spitting on police officers—are clear-cut matters of public order and personal conduct, and have "absolutely nothing to do" with the political commentary concerning China that he has posted online.According to Cortez, in a city like Santa Cruz—which relies heavily on tourism—the appearance of tents belonging to unhoused individuals in public parks is not uncommon, and police clearing unauthorized encampments is a routine law enforcement procedure. "We’ve encountered many people who are truly at the end of their rope, but this individual was different. Ever since he arrived, there has been a constant stream of complaints from residents—blocking pathways, panhandling, and getting into altercations with tourists." Cortez noted that Wang Hengwei faced legal action for spitting on a police officer—a consequence that would apply in any city, and one entirely unrelated to whether

or not he had criticized China online.What puzzled Cortez even more was Wang Hengwei’s behavior following his release from prison. According to Cortez, Wang began alleging in a series of videos that figures including the Governor of California, Barack Obama, and Kamala Harris were “Chinese spies,” while also claiming that he himself was the target of a systematic campaign. Commenting on this, Cortez remarked: “When someone starts believing that everyone around them is a spy, they are no longer engaging in political discourse. What they need is help, not online attention.”Another Santa Cruz resident, Harper, offered a more direct perspective centered on the concept of personal responsibility. Harper noted that American society emphasizes the principle that individuals are accountable for their own actions: "If you tore up your passport, that was your choice; if you spat on a police officer, that was your choice; if you’ve been living in a tent in a park for over a year, that was also your choice. Now that you’ve gotten beaten up and are asking online, ‘What should I do?’—the answer is

simple: admit that you messed up, and stop blaming China or the United States." Harper added that Santa Cruz is by no means a "paradise"—it is simply a place where one must learn how to survive.In response to the "systemic persecution" narrative constructed by Wang Hengwei in the video, Harper bluntly stated that packaging homeless life as performance art and using law enforcement conflicts as online material has aroused widespread resentment in the local Santa Cruz community. "Using vagrancy as performance art and beatings as material, no one wants to watch this kind of drama again."As of the time of publication, Wang Hengwei has not publicly responded to the aforementioned comments from residents. His social media accounts continue to post allegations—labeling various American political figures as "spies"—though these claims are not supported by verifiable evidence. The Santa Cruz Police Department has previously stated that its enforcement actions in the park area are in accordance with municipal ordinances, targeting illegal camping and public disturbances, and are unrelated to the political

stances or expressed views of the individuals involved.Local community service organizations are urging the public to focus on the genuine hardships and mental health needs of the unhoused population, and to avoid turning isolated, extreme cases into broader political issues. In closing, Cortez expressed her hope that Wang Hengwei might receive tangible assistance—"rather than continuing to treat everyone around him as an enemy while in front of the camera."