AKIPRESS.COM - Mexicans are increasingly taking to social media to post videos of bad civic behavior, led by two social media “heroes” who wield comedy and confrontation to expose lazy cops, litterers, threatening bodyguards and arrogant drivers, according to The Seattle Times.

Arturo Hernandez, who heads a band of volunteer YouTube celebrities known as the “Super Civicos,” uses humor to shame violators in Mexico’s sprawling capital, where street vendors and delivery vans block streets and cars drive in bicycle lanes with little fear of punishment. He once stripped down and bathed in a pothole as big as a bathtub to highlight shoddy street repairs. Another time he traveled the subway dressed as a caveman to reflect the lack of manners.

Arne Aus den Ruthen, meanwhile, is a local official who confronts violators using the Periscope app to make live broadcasts as he tells people to pick up their trash or move their cars. He holds the title of “city manager” of the capital’s Miguel Hidalgo borough, a paid position inspired by U.S. city governments to have a gadfly to prod lazy authorities into doing their jobs.

While the two use different tactics, in a city as violent and chaotic as Mexico City it often ends in confrontation. Hernandez has been beaten several times and Aus den Ruthen was punched, had his cellphone stolen and was almost kidnapped recently by bodyguards who worked for an influential radio station owner.

He had called tow trucks after noticing the bodyguards were parking their cars on the sidewalks outside their boss’ house. The bodyguards put their boss on the phone, and he can be heard shouting a stream of obscenities at Aus den Ruthen that could be translated roughly (and charitably) as “eat it”.

Mexico City residents usually give the moniker “Lord” or “Lady” to people seen acting badly in such videos. In this case, the businessman became known as “Lord Eat It”.

“This kind of activism is necessary, especially because it is the kind of thing that average people can also do,” said Juan Pablo Guzman, a financial administration student.

The rights commission says there have been six complaints that Aus den Ruthen’s broadcasts violate a person’s right to privacy, their reputation and their right to due process. In Mexico, citizens can videotape authorities, but it’s not clear if authorities can film and broadcast the behavior of private citizens.

The Mexico City legislative assembly is now working on rules to determine how – or whether – officials can record private citizens.