[ragtagtag]

I think there are two elements at play.

Consider a person of colour living in the eponymous mansion of the city's wealthiest neighborhood.

For a racist government, it's a symbol of defiance.

For other people of colour, who have been told by the government their whole lives that they are worthless, good only for manual labour -- one of their own is living in the oldest mansion in the fanciest neighborhood in town. It's an affirmation of their worth.

As a symbol, his place of residence had great power.

[SideburnsOfDoom]

Yes, and doing that in a disarming way, with cheerful friendliness, and everyday normality.

[throwawaylinux]

I just had the idea that things were a lot further along in the revolt against the regime at that point in time.