Posted: Dec 18, 2009 7:51 AM
Residents in a Nipomo, California neighborhood are up in arms over a Christmas display. They say the display is upsetting their children and they want the homeowner to remove it.
The display shows Jesus holding a shotgun over Santa, depicted dead on the ground, with x's over his eyes.
It also shows Rudolph run over by a pick up truck.
"It's an expression of my repressed creativity," says Ron Lake, the creator.
Neighbors don't feel the same.
The controversial display went up on Monday.
After multiple complaints to law enforcement and conversations with Lake, they're banding together to try and get it removed.
"I know its freedom of speech, but it's pretty disturbing and there are lots of children. That's our main concern,"
Susana Cruz says.
Just outside of the chain link fence that separates the display from one of the town's main roads is a school bus stop.
Neighbors say children walking to the stop see the traditional nativity scene, or Santa soaring through the skies and kicking back on a Harley.
But then, they stumble upon Jesus packing a double barrel shotgun bearing down on the symbol of Christmas.
"It's private property and everyone has the right to it, and I have the right to stand up and say I don't like it either," says Karen Clement who lives near the display.
"Christmas is not about Santa, it's about Jesus, not the Jesus as the killer with the shotgun, but come on there's a little humor here, a little tragedy here," Lake says.
Law enforcement say they can't force the homeowner to take down the display because it's on private property.
Neighbors are planning to start a petition.
To see video of the story:
http://www.kcoy.com/Global/story.asp?S=11697824
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