A Festive Four-Story Christmas Special
Christmas brings joy, chaos, and sometimes a bit of absurdity. This week, we bring you four wild tales of holiday cheer gone legally wrong, featuring everything from historic protests to modern-day miracles.
Down with Santa! The Toronto Activist Who Declared War on St. Nick
Let’s start with a throwback to December 6, 1979, when Richard Dildy, a computer technician and Vietnam War veteran, caused a scene at Toronto’s Eaton Centre. Armed with a booming voice and a fierce distaste for Santa Claus, Dildy denounced the jolly old elf as a harmful fantasy used to deceive children. While some laughed, police were less amused.
After returning later that evening, emboldened by a few holiday drinks, Dildy resumed his tirade, yelling across Yonge Street and drawing a crowd. This time, police arrested him for causing a disturbance, landing him in jail for the night.
But Dildy’s anti-Santa crusade didn’t end there. During the 1980 Santa Claus Parade, he donned a sandwich board reading, ‘KIDS! SANTA IS A PHONEY AND FULL OF BALONEY SO PULL A CHRISTMAS PRANK AND GIVE HIS BEARD A YANK!’ As the procession moved through the streets, Dildy shouted, ‘There is no Santa Claus!’ He was arrested again, fined $50, and told by a judge, ‘We’ve got to keep you off the streets at Santa Claus time.’
Though controversial, Dildy’s protests sparked debates about the commercialization of Christmas and free speech boundaries. His case highlights how public protests, even during the holidays, can lead to legal consequences—and how courts balance individual rights with public peace.
Arrest of the ‘Virgin Mary’: A Christmas Miracle in Disguise
In 2023, during a Lighted Christmas Parade in Laurie, Missouri, a nativity float took a dramatic turn. Dana Kerr, cast as the Virgin Mary, was arrested moments before the parade began. Police surrounded her car, mistakenly believing she was the subject of a drug-related warrant. Her co-star, playing Joseph, protested but ultimately stayed behind to ride the float.
It turned out the arrest was a clerical error—the warrant belonged to someone else. Dana, who had a past filled with addiction and legal troubles, took the incident in stride, calling it a ‘reminder of how far I’ve come.’
Dana’s story was one of legal and personal transformation. After years battling meth addiction and a felony drug conviction, she turned her life around in 2020 after a near-death experience and an encounter with faith. While her brief stint in police custody was unwarranted, it served as a stark reminder of the importance of accurate record-keeping in law enforcement—and a testament to her incredible resilience.
Santa vs. the Grinch: A Christmas Street Fight
What’s Christmas without a little drama? In Aguascalientes, Mexico, a Santa Claus and Grinch duo, both street performers, let the holiday spirit (and rivalry) get the best of them. A dispute over tips escalated into an all-out street brawl in the town square. Tourists and locals watched in shock as the two characters fought it out amidst Christmas displays.
Santa received medical aid after the altercation, while the Grinch was handcuffed first, his heart apparently still ‘two sizes too small.’ Both performers were ultimately arrested, sparking online commentary about whether Christmas itself was canceled.
The legal implications of street performance clashes are surprisingly common. Performers often operate in a gray area when it comes to licensing, public safety, and disputes over earnings. This case adds a festive twist to an ongoing issue—and proves that even holiday characters aren’t above the law.
Buckingham Palace Maid Turns Christmas Party into Chaos
Even the royal household isn’t immune to holiday mishaps. In December 2023, a Buckingham Palace maid was arrested following a rowdy staff Christmas party. After smashing glasses and attempting to assault bar staff at a London pub, the 24-year-old spent the night in jail.
Palace officials clarified that the event was an informal gathering and not an official holiday celebration. While disciplinary action was promised, the incident raised eyebrows about the behavior of staff working for one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
The legal fallout was swift, with the maid receiving a penalty notice for disorderly conduct. The incident serves as a reminder that even those working in esteemed institutions aren’t immune to the consequences of drunken holiday antics—and that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of their workplace.
