A man who dressed as the Grinch took away some “Christmas magic” as he stood outside an elementary school with a signature reading “Santa is fake…Jesus is real.”
The man, who identified himself as David Harold Grisham, set up outside the kindergarten entrance of Osuna Elementary School in New Mexico on Monday morning.
Grisham, 63, who is part of a group called street preachers, is said to have spent up to 45 minutes outside the school, walking up and down the sidewalk in an attempt to spread the message.
His actions upset parents at the school, who accused him of ruining Christmas for the young and impressionable children. He was confronted by an angry person who took away his plate and tore it into pieces.
“To do that in front of little children and try to destroy their wonder, destroy the magic of Christmas, it makes my blood boil,” said mother Hannah Dalton KRQE television station.
A man dressed as the Grinch came to a New Mexico elementary school with a sign telling the children that Santa Claus isn't real
The man, who identified himself as David Harold Grisham, set up outside the Osuna Elementary School kindergarten entrance Monday morning with the message
His actions upset parents at the school, who accused him of ruining Christmas. He was confronted by an angry person who took away his plate and tore it up.
Grisham performed a similar stunt two weeks ago outside Sleepy Hollow Elementary School in Amarillo, Texas.
Video of the New Mexico incident shows parents confronting Grisham. One person grabbed his plate from behind and told him, “Get this son of a bitch out of here.”
But the person recording with Grisham tells him “don't touch our stuff.”
The angry parent replies: “F*** you bro, get out,” before tearing up the sign and throwing it on the ground.
A police officer steps in to de-escalate the situation and he tells her, “This is a disturbance. He's fucking with our kids.'
The officer then informs him that Grisham is on public property and there is nothing they can do.
But the man confronts him again and shouts, “Get the fuck out of here.”
In another video, Grisham was asked if there was a better way to spread the message than outside an elementary school.
“This is a great way, believe me,” Grisham responds, adding, “Jesus said, go into all the world, including primary schools, and preach the gospel to every preacher.”
Others ask the man why and he says: 'If you believe that, then you should do it yourself.'
Grisham held up a sign that read, “Santa is fake…Jesus is real” while dressed as the beloved Dr. Seuss character and greeted the students as they entered the building.
Video of the New Mexico incident shows parents confronting Grisham. One person grabbed his plate from behind and told him, 'Get this son of a bitch out of here'
Grisham, 63, who is part of a group called street preachers, is said to have spent up to 45 minutes outside the school, walking up and down the sidewalk in an attempt to spread the message.
“To do that in front of little children and try to destroy their wonder, destroy the magic of Christmas, it makes my blood boil,” mother Hannah Dalton told television station KRQE.
Nancy Molina added, “It made me a little angry. Don't you have anything better to do than get up at 6:30 in the morning and post to a kindergarten?'
Parent Nancy Molina said, “It made me a little angry, don't you have anything better to do than get up at 7:30 and post for preschool?”
“I have a preschooler and she is very excited about Christmas and Santa,” Molina said.
The school sent a letter to parents about the incident, explaining that district and school police could not take action because the protester was on a public sidewalk.
Students were later led away from the man dressed as the Grinch and to an alternate entrance.
“I am writing to inform you of an unfortunate incident that occurred in front of our school this morning as students and families arrived,” wrote principal Hanna Myers.
“An individual wearing a 'Grinch' costume and holding a sign with a religious statement paraded in front of our campus and told students and families that Santa Claus is a fake.
“The protest we are witnessing outside our school today is part of a national movement. While I respect freedom of speech and religion, I am saddened that some people think it is okay to elevate their beliefs by harassing children.
“No public display that frightens or traumatizes our students, staff or community members is acceptable. I have reassured our students and staff that our campus is safe.”
Grisham performed the same stunt two weeks ago outside Sleepy Hollow Elementary School in Amarillo, Texas
Grisham is known locally in the Amarillo, Texas, area for his ultra-religious protests that he organizes as part of a group called “the Street Preachers.”
Grisham – now retired – has organized many demonstrations as an 'official street preacher'
Grisham posted a photo from New Mexico with the sign on Facebook and wrote, “If I had stood outside this school with a sign that said Santa Claus was real and Jesus was fake, there wouldn't have been an uproar like there is now.”
“People who call themselves Christians will start using violence to defend a non-existent Santa Claus, but won't lift a finger to defend the world that is attacking Jesus. Let that sink in for a moment.'
Grisham is known locally as a nuisance in his hometown of Lone Star and other areas around Amarillo, Texas.
The self-described “street preacher” said his mission this year is to “shame Santa Claus.”
He has urged other Grinches to take to the streets to preach the same message as him.
Defending his actions, Grisham told DailyMail.com: 'I wear the costume because it is less scary for children, while giving them the message that Santa is fake and Jesus is real.
“Some kids in California even asked to have their picture taken with me. It's parents' angry, overreaction that scares them.
“I'm tired of Santa Claus usurping the glory of Christ at Christmas.”