Hare Krishna Santas must be identified

This article, "Hare Krishna Santas must be identified," was published in Tampa Bay Times, December 11, 1976, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

United Press International 

DENVER - A deputy district attorney said he has warned Hare Krishna followers who parade as Santa Clauses on downtown streets they must carry signs alerting shoppers as to whom they represent. 

DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY Ray Jones took the action after several persons complained about the fund-raising by the Hare Krishna devotees. Some said they did not realize they were giving money to the religious group until after they made the donation. 

Jones asked that Santas from the Hare Krishna group carry signs with letters at least one inch high on their collection buckets or place stationary signs nearby that clearly identify them as Hare Krishna members.

Jones said the Krishna Santas were in "technical" violation of the law because donors were being misled into thinking the traditional-looking Santas represented other groups. 

JACK MAHONEY, a spokesman for the religious group, said Hare Krishna followers received some threats of violence after they began wearing the costumes and walked city streets asking for money. He said the threats came both by phone and in the mail. 

"I'm almost sure we're not going to be out there in Santa Clause suits," Mahoney said. "If that's the effect, it doesn't seem like the best idea to be Santa at Christmas."