California Gov. Gavin Newsom has fearfully bowed out of his state’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony – canceling the celebrated event ahead of planned pro-Palestinian protests demanding an end to Israel’s war against Hamas.
Newsom canceled the beloved event opting for a smaller, pre-tape, remote celebration in its place. A spokesperson for the governor said the last-minute cancellation was over ‘safety concerns’ ahead of multiple planned protests.
‘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 program is unchanged and viewers can tune in Wednesday evening to watch this year’s festivities,’ a Newsom spokesperson said Tuesday afternoon.
The tree lighting is a celebratory annual Christmas event and dates to the 1930’s. But, for the 92nd version, the governor has decided to cower to fear of pro-Palestine protests.
Newsom claimed the program is unchanged other than the fact that it’s remote and nobody will be in attendance- not even Santa.
Despite the cancelation of the in-person event, nearly 200 people still protested outside the Capitol Tuesday evening, according to KCRA.
Newsom’s announcement has sparked widespread backlash from pro-Palestinian groups who accuse him of ‘ignoring their pain.’
‘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,’ Yassar Dahbour of the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights told the San Francisco Chronicle in a statement.
A disgruntled member of Youth for Palestine said, ‘It’s upsetting to see my governor, who I have voted for and supported for many years, chose to alter his plans in such a quiet manner because he is not able to face the public.’
‘He has chosen to not be visible or available to citizens and his voters. He is too concerned having public debates with others than to address the pain, anguish, and needs of Californians.’
Newsom was also slammed online, by individuals outraged over the decision to cancel a joyous holiday celebration and accusing the governor of cowering in fear. ‘What message does that send that they are afraid to celebrate Christmas? Newsom is a loser,’ one commented.
‘This sums it up nicely. Newsom can’t control his state, so he takes away privileges from his citizens and keeps them for himself. Like we all knew he would,’ another disappointed user wrote.
‘Maybe he shouldn’t allow these pro-Palestinian movements to run rampant in the streets and they could have their planned events,’ a third commented.
Elon Musk even gave his two cents, commenting, ‘Wow’ on Newsom’s announcement on X. Weeks after the war in Israel began, Newsom visited the country and met with government officials and survivors of the October 7 terrorist attacks that killed 1,400 and left an estimated 240 kidnapped.
Visiting Israel after the Hamas massacre strengthened Newsom’s sympathy for Israelis reeling from the horrific massacre.
‘The worst part about it — the actual video, I saw heads, beheaded people, their bodies, lay there, dead. To see someone’s eyes and mouth being poked to see if they were alive, to find out they were alive after being shot on the ground,’ he said in October.
‘It connects to an understanding of the emotion of the Israelis about the atrocities that occurred, and about the 1,400 lives lost. It’s not intellectual any longer.’
