Photo: https://mchistory.org
Twin Cities civil rights leader Merlin Kennedy, has died.
Merlin Kennedy was best known for dressing up as a black Santa Claus during the 1966 Christmas Parade, even after police told him it wasn’t allowed and threatened to arrest him.
According to the McLean County Museum of History, which named Kennedy a McLean County History Maker in 2015, Kennedy and fellow civil rights advocate Ralph Smith were instrumental in establishing human rights commissions in Bloomington-Normal.
Kennedy was 92. He had been battling a lengthy illness.
Kibler Brady Ruestman Memorial Home of Bloomington is handling funeral arrangements.
Photo: https://mchistory.org
