‘On the naughty list’: Santa attacked in Chicago as violent crime explodes

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When Adam White donned his Santa costume for the fourth year in a row, it’s unlikely he pictured himself becoming the victim of a couple of ne’er-do-wells whose lack of Christmas spirit rivals that of the Grinch.

White has been dressing up as Father Christmas for several years, standing outside his brother’s shop to greet customers and passers-by. What began as a sweet and seasonal holiday tradition turned violent this year. Video captured the shocking attack that took place at Oak Park in Chicago, Illinois.

“I try to make the kids happy,” White explained, as baffled as anyone as to why he became a target when he was simply trying to put a smile on people’s faces.

“They just started throwing eggs at me, and it felt like some hard rocks or something – I don’t know,” White explained of the encounter. “You know, they hit me in the face, threw some from back, from the front. I was trying to push them off.”

His assailants were described as “at least two men in dark clothes and ski masks” according to CBS Chicago.

The attack was over quickly, and White called the police to report the crime.

“That’s like hateful,” he said. “Somebody must not like Christmas. They must hate Christmas. I know they’re going to be on the naughty list – whoever did it.”

Thankfully, the experience hasn’t at all deterred White from his holly jolly mission, spreading cheer at this most wonderful time of the year.

“It’s going to encourage me to do this more.”

This comes as Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is begging for help from federal authorities to curb violence in her city. In a 40-minute long speech, she outlined her plan to attack “root causes” of violence as well as crackdown on illegal firearms that are ending up in the hands of violent criminals and gang members. However, she hit many of the same points that she has discussed before, to no avail.

Lightfoot also called on Cook County judges to put a stop to letting violent offenders back out onto the streets as critics call for an end to a too-lenient justice system that puts the rights of suspects ahead of innocent citizens. While these offenders were normally released with electric monitoring, the mayor indicated that those charged murder, attempted murder, aggravated gun possession, sex crimes, illegal gun possession, carjacking, kidnapping or attempted kidnapping should not qualify to be released with monitors.

However, this crime crackdown isn’t without critics of its own, with those on the other side of the issue claiming that the sudden explosion of violent crime is tied to bond reforms. Cook County Public Defender Sharone Mitchell accused Lightfoot of “policymaking based on fear.”

Sierra Marlee

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