California Gov. Gavin Newsom has canceled the general public capitol’s annual Christmas tree lighting, as a substitute opting to host a digital occasion amid deliberate pro-Palestinian protests, in keeping with a report.
According to KCRA, Wednesday’s 92nd Annual California State Capitol Tree Lighting was initially anticipated to be an in-person occasion in Sacramento, however a choice was made to make the occasion digital due to deliberate protests.
An announcement posted on Tuesday by the governor’s workplace states {that a} pre-recorded digital ceremony will likely be launched on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The California Highway Patrol barricaded many of the capitol constructing’s west aspect garden, the place the tree is positioned, in keeping with the report. Several indicators learn “KEEP OUT, NO TRESPASSING.”
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![Christmas tree at the California capitol](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2023/12/1200/675/Untitled-design-1222.png?ve=1&tl=1)
The 2020 Christmas tree is displayed on the California State Capitol in Sacramento. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images/File)
Originally, Newsom was planning to welcome individuals to the occasion, which was alleged to characteristic a number of enterprise stands and live performance performances.
A spokesperson for Newsom instructed the outlet that nationwide protests had been an element within the resolution to carry the occasion nearly.
“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 spokesperson mentioned. “The program is unchanged and viewers can tune in Wednesday evening to watch this year’s festivities.”
The Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights in addition to a number of different organizations had deliberate to carry a protest on the occasion, telling the outlet they wished to “out Gov. Gavin Newsom for hiding from the public because he doesn’t want to face their anger at his shameful stance in regard to the genocide in Gaza.”
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (Fox News Digital)
“Governor Newsom decided to cancel the tree lighting ceremony rather than face the public that is enraged by his shameful silence on the genocide in Gaza. This certainly doesn’t add up with his past stance with Native Americans,” mentioned Yassar Dahbour of Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights.
California GOP Chairwoman Jessica Millan Patterson mentioned in a press release to Fox News Digital that Newsom is a “modern-day Grinch.”
“Gavin Newsom still won’t condemn the pro-Hamas and antisemitic protests that shut down his own party’s recent convention, so it’s no surprise he’d prefer to hide from a tree lighting where he risked being confronted by more protesters. Newsom is a modern-day Grinch whose cowardice is punishing the public and small businesses who’d planned on celebrating this joyous occasion,” mentioned Patterson.
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James Gallagher, California Assembly Republican Leader, mentioned in a press release to Fox News Digital that the choice is “pathetic.”
“First Newsom was silent when terrorist sympathizers stormed his own party convention, and now he’s allowed pro-Hamas radicals to intimidate him into canceling an event that was supposed to spread a message of unity, joy and peace. It’s pathetic that he doesn’t have the spine to stand up to these extremists,” mentioned Gallagher.