Gavin Newsom cancels in-person tree-lighting ceremony, cites Gaza protests
Decision comes after Christmas references scrubbed from state websites
The governor of California is canceling a nearly century-old Christmas tree lighting tradition at the state Capitol, citing the threat of pro-Palestinian protests.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and “First Partner” Jennifer Siebel Newsom will host the 92nd annual California State Capitol Tree Lighting in a pre-recorded virtual ceremony Wednesday, according to the governor’s office.
In a statement Tuesday, a spokesperson for Newsom said the decision was made after “protests across the country” were held in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, including in New York, where seven people were arrested last week at the city’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center.
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"As we continue to see protests across the country impacting the safety of events of all scales — and for the safety and security of all participating members and guests including children and families — the ceremony this year will be virtual," the statement read. "The program is unchanged and viewers can tune in Wednesday evening to watch this year’s festivities."
In response to Newsom’s announcement, X CEO Elon Musk replied, “Wow.”
The lighting of the approximately 60-foot red fir — which will be held remotely — will be livestreamed and shared on Newsom’s official media accounts, the spokesperson said.
California’s annual tradition, which dates back to the 1930s, was held virtually for the first-time ever during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Under Newsom, California enacted what many saw as draconian health guidelines for gatherings during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, including banning any gatherings of more than three households and urging people to collect names and other information for “contact tracing” purposes.
This year, however, protesters with the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights held a march and rally at the state Capitol to call on the governor to support a ceasefire in Gaza.
Several of the protesters held signs with messages such as “Newsom is complicit in genocide” and “No celebrations while silent on genocide.”
SACRAMENTO | Right now, Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights are marching to the State Capitol. They want Governor Newsom to support a ceasefire in Gaza, adding he should be ashamed for moving a scheduled tree lighting for tonight to a virtual event. @kcranewspic.twitter.com/Hw1enNKvS6
— KCRA Lee Anne Denyer (@KCRALeeAnne) December 6, 2023
In addition to scrubbing the Christmas tree ceremony, the very mention of Christmas has been removed from the websites of at least two California state agencies, including from the governor’s official website, which makes no mention of the Christmas holiday in its official press release for the tree-lighting ceremony.
By comparison, Newsom’s official announcement of the 2019 ceremony referred to the ceremony as the “Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony” and made five separate references to the Christmas holiday.
A 2021 statement from Newsom’s office similarly omitted all references to Christmas and opted instead to refer to the tree-lighting event as an opportunity to “highlight California’s diverse holiday traditions, native heritage and spirit of inclusion.”
The word “Christmas” was also removed from the announcement posted on the websites of other California state agencies, including the Department of Developmental Services.
According to state records, the first use of the California State Capitol was held as a Chistmas celebration in December 1869, while the first tree lighting ceremony began in 1931 with former Gov. James Rolph.
Ian M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of BACKWARDS DAD: a children's book for grownups. He can be reached at: [email protected].
