Most people only encounter zombies while shooting at them or while being eaten. This holiday season the Oakland zombie community decided to to mend fences and build bridges with local humans by gathering in a popular shopping district to groan "Feliz Navidead!"

On the evening of Dec. 22, a small but vocal, energetic, and cheerful contingent of the local undead congregated at Jack London Square in Oakland to demonstrate for their rights -- and to wish passersby a happy holiday season.

The gathering represented much of the the diversity of the local zombie community. It was an all-ages, all-species, queer- and disability-friendly event.

Watch the video (note: light gore and profanity)...

The original plan was for the group to march from Jack London Square to City Hall to protest for civil rights. (Read their demands.) However, advancing cold is unkind to the limbs of the "circulation-challenged", and zombie children have notoriously short attention spans. So, in keeping with the holiday spirit, plans shifted to a holiday greeting and a brief stroll through Barnes & Noble.

There also was a small, spontaneous after-party at Everett & Jones BBQ. (No brains were on the menu that evening, so brisket sufficed.)

Ground rules included staying on walkways and no snacking en route.

Local zombie community leader Sean Henry organized the event. Here's his take:

"People don't expect to see the undead right before Christmas...let alone hearing them moan 'Merry Christmas' while smiling all friendly-like at 'em.  About half 'got it' and it made their night. The other half studiously ignored us.

"Kids LOVED us, and the kids with us had a blast! It was fun! A lot of people had a much more memorable, enjoyable experience right before Christmas this year and 'reaching out' was a hoot.

"I can't wait till Valentines: 'HEARTS!'"