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Racists Freak Out Over Black Santa At Mall Of America

...but most people absolutely love "Santa Larry."
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There’s a black Santa Claus at the Mall of America in Minnesota, giving children of color a Kringle that looks like them at the nation’s biggest shopping destination.

Naturally, some people just can’t handle this, and racists are taking to social media to denounce Larry Jefferson-Gamble, a retired U.S. Army veteran who has been playing Santa since he was 12 years old.

Trolls invaded the comments section of articles such as a CBS Minnesota report, where they posted insulting and racist remarks. The comments function was ultimately turned off ― although many of the posts are still visible in the article.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune turned off the comments function of its article on the mall’s first black Santa before it was published based on past experience with trolls.

But this was one battle the trolls wouldn’t win, as many others took to social media in support of the black Santa:

Watching people meltdown over a Black Santa in the Mall of America. "Santa is white!" Well, in our internment camp he was Asian. So there.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 3, 2016

Amazing day at @mallofamerica capped by a visit with #SantaLarry, who is kind, engaging and thoughtful! 🙌🏽 pic.twitter.com/iHyVN9eaJA

— Sean Jensen (@seankjensen) December 4, 2016

@StarTribune Good for the Mall of America! Santa is for every child.

— Kim Randolph (@kimr55760) December 4, 2016

I think I just started believing in Santa again? #blacksanta #santaLarry pic.twitter.com/NkGQx6yZgW

— Carlos Rosales-Silva (@RosalesSilva) December 3, 2016

santa can't be black but our president can be orange? ok...

— jas (@avocadomami_) December 4, 2016

White people getting mad over a black Santa at the mall of America is the most 2016 thing I've ever heard.

— tess (@that1mum) December 4, 2016

@StarTribune I just love this photo. Santa is so jolly and has a REAL BEARD! Merry Christmas!

— Myxomatosis (@Myxomatosis225) December 4, 2016

@StarTribune Congrats! Tell these complaining to have some respect! Love this Santa!

— Quest (@faithhut) December 5, 2016

The Mall of America has a black Santa and racists done lost their minds. #SantaLarry is awesome! He's also a vet and deserves respect! pic.twitter.com/Rss6RC5UZs

— Mark Buchanan (@therealmarkb) December 4, 2016

All the love and prayers go out to Larry Jefferson. Santa can be *anybody* y'all. https://t.co/UQJL8TjI58

— Caroling Along 🔔🎄 (@SoCalRamen) December 2, 2016

I do not wanna be in the same room as the people who are offended by black santa when they find out that Jesus was a middle eastern refugee

— Rochelle (@rochelleasquith) December 4, 2016

Jefferson played Santa at the mall through Sunday, and will now return to playing the jolly old elf in the Dallas area, according to AP.

“Kids love Santa no matter what color you are,” he told The Huffington Post last week.

(h/t Raw Story)

CLARIFICATION: This story has been updated to reflect that the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s comment section was turned off when the story was published, not in response to negative comments.

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