The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)

SantaCon kicks off in NYC

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NEWYORK » The annual costumed pub crawl featuring a horde of sloshed Santas on the streets of Manhattan got underway Saturday with a lesson in the First Amendment.

Civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel addressed the SantaCon crowd in Times Square about the government’s right to reasonably regulate an event that New Yorkers have complained has gotten out of hand in past years.

The annual holiday flash-mobmeets-party fell this year on the same day as a planned protest over killings by police, prompting organizers to try to rein in the rowdiness.

SantaCon organizers retained Siegel to advise on the do’s and don’ts of public gatherings and instructed participan­ts to stick to bars that welcome themand party inside instead of on the streets.

“It’s more important this year than ever to pace yourself, watch out for your elves and stay safe,” their website warns, adding that bad behavior may mean the ultimate lump of coal: no SantaCon next year.

It’s a sobering message for SantaCon, which has faced mounting pressure from politician­s, police and community groups as it has grown from hundreds to thousands of costumed participan­ts in roughly a decade.

Aficionado­s say SantaCon is lightheart­ed communal fun that tweaks the nose of Christmast­ime consumeris­m. Participan­ts are urged to bring gifts to hand out or prepare performanc­es, and organizers stress that last year’s event raised about $60,000 for charities.

But some residents see SantaCon as anonslaugh­t of crass Kringles, soused elves and anythingbu­t-grandmothe­rly Mrs. Clauses. There have been two arrests and 85 summonses for disorderly conduct, open alcohol containers and other offenses during the last two SantaCons, and an online video captured people in Santa suits fighting on the evening of last year’s SantaCon.

Last year, residents of Manhattan’s bar-filled Lower East Side posted “SantaCon free zone” signs and local commuter railroads began banning alcoholic drinks on their trains during the gathering,

 ?? MARY ALTAFFER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? In this Dec. 11, 2010, file photo, SantaCon participan­ts John Paul, center, dressed as an Elf and Michael Smallwood, dressed as Santa, ride the E train in downtown New York.
MARY ALTAFFER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS In this Dec. 11, 2010, file photo, SantaCon participan­ts John Paul, center, dressed as an Elf and Michael Smallwood, dressed as Santa, ride the E train in downtown New York.

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