Neighbors want this controversial lawn display removed. Its maker defends his right to free speech.
Related links
NIPOMO -- A lawn display of "Jesus" shooting "Santa Claus" has residents in one San Luis Obispo County area up in arms.
The controversial Christmas display shows a Jesus figure pointing a double-barrel shotgun at a dead Santa figure. Santa's reindeer Rudolph lays sprawled across the hood of a pickup truck nearby.
Some neighbors have asked the display be removed, but its maker, Ron Lake, says it's a work of art denouncing the commercialization of Christmas. He defends his display on the grounds of freedom of expression.
Police said that because Lake built the display on private property they cannot force him to take it down.
Some residents plan to start a petition.
The controversial Christmas display shows a Jesus figure pointing a double-barrel shotgun at a dead Santa figure. Santa's reindeer Rudolph lays sprawled across the hood of a pickup truck nearby.
Some neighbors have asked the display be removed, but its maker, Ron Lake, says it's a work of art denouncing the commercialization of Christmas. He defends his display on the grounds of freedom of expression.
Police said that because Lake built the display on private property they cannot force him to take it down.
Some residents plan to start a petition.
