A 24-year-old Worcester resident has gained viral attention after delivering a theatrical performance for pothole repairs during a Worcester City Council meeting. 

Wilson Lam stood at the podium during last week’s meeting, mimicking the sounds of a vehicle navigating and striking potholes.

“I just wanted to do something different,” he told Boston.com. “The performance was off the top of my head. I didn’t really think about it when I got on the stands.” 

Some councilors laughed in the beginning of his performance, Lam said, though he tried to avoid eye contact halfway through. 

As of Thursday, his TikTok post has garnered more than 51,800 likes and 402,200 views.

Lam said his unconventional protest was inspired by a TikTok video of a man breakdancing “to get his point across” at a town hall meeting in Australia. 

He was motivated to take action as the street where he lives has been plagued by deep, multi-layered potholes for more than two decades. 1,700 potholes were reported in 2020, and 4,000 potholes were reported in 2025, Lam shared during the council meeting. 

At one point during the demonstration, Lam stayed silent as another form of protest. 

“I don’t think a lot of people know this, but we have our First Amendment [rights],” he said. “We are allowed to go to the council and basically say whatever we want or just stay silent.”

“I stayed silent as another form of protest to take their time like they’ve taken our time on the potholes,” Lam added. 

Moving forward, Lam said he plans to continue attending Worcester City Council meetings every Tuesday. While resolving the pothole issue remains a primary focus, he also aims to advocate for solutions regarding the homelessness crisis and drug-related issues. 

Lam said his long-term ambitions include a 2027 mayoral run in Worcester, centered on a direct campaign promise: “Fix the potholes.”