A group of activists dressed as Santa Claus and elves have carried out a festive-themed protest by stealing groceries from a supermarket in Canada to distribute to people in need.
The Festive Heist in Montreal
The unusual incident took place on Monday evening at a Metro grocery store chain in Montreal. Calling themselves the 'Robins of the Alleys', the group, clad in full Father Christmas and elf costumes, were filmed marching into the shop and taking baskets full of food.
A video of the action, set to the Christmas song Jingle Bells, was later posted on Instagram by the page Soulèvements du Fleuve. The accompanying post, translated from French, accused businesses of holding vital needs hostage. It stated: 'They continue to suffocate the population, to siphon (from) them as much money as possible, simply because they can. For us, this is theft and they are the thieves.'
Where the Food Went and the Wider Context
According to the activists, the stolen food was left under a public Christmas tree in Place Valois in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, with other items taken to community fridges. The act was a direct protest against soaring food prices and corporate profits.
This protest comes against a stark backdrop: Food prices in Canadian supermarkets rose by an average of 4.7% in November compared to the previous year. Furthermore, the charity Food Banks Canada estimates that nearly one in four people in the country are forced to skip meals due to poverty.
Official Responses and UK Parallels
Montreal police confirmed they are investigating the incident by reviewing CCTV and speaking to witnesses but declined to comment on the group's motives. In a statement to CNN, Metro spokesperson Geneviève Grégoire called the stealing 'unacceptable'. She argued the supermarket was not solely responsible for inflation, citing global supply chain issues and retail crime as contributing factors.
This Robin Hood-style tactic has echoes in the UK. Last year, activists from the group Everybody Eats claimed to have taken food from a Marks & Spencer in Manchester to donate to food banks, in a similar protest against the cost of living crisis.
