Santa gets into the Christmas spirit early, NOT!

[Konovalov]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bad...840729462.html

Bad Santas rampage in Auckland
December 18, 2005 - 1:13PM

A group of 40 drunken people dressed in Santa Claus outfits went on a rampage through New Zealand's largest city, Auckland, robbing stores, assaulting security guards and urinating from highway overpasses.

The rampage, dubbed "Santarchy" by newspapers, began early yesterday afternoon when the men, wearing ill-fitting Santa costumes, threw beer bottles and urinated on cars from an overpass, said Auckland Central Police's Noreen Hegarty.

She said the men then rushed through a central city park, overturning garbage bins, throwing bottles at passing cars and spraying graffiti on office buildings.

One man climbed the mooring line of a cruise ship before being ordered down by the captain. Other Santas, objecting when the man was arrested, attacked security staff who were later treated by paramedics, Hegarty said.

The remaining Santas entered a convenience store and carried off beer and soft drinks.

"They came in, said 'Merry Christmas' and then helped themselves," store owner Changa Manakynda said.

Two security guards were treated for cuts after being struck by beer bottles, Hegarty said. Three people, including the man who climbed on the cruise ship, were arrested and charged with drunkenness and disorderly behaviour.

Alex Dyer, a spokesman for the group, said Santarchy was a worldwide movement designed to protest the commercialisation of Christmas.

AP

According to the Bad Santa's group spokesman (they actually have a spokesman), the drunk Santas are part of a global movement protesting the commercialisation of Christmas. It's all fine to protest over what they see as the commercialisation of Christmas but to have their own "Reign of Terror" thru Auckland is just a tad OTT in my opinion.