Across the nation, cities and towns uphold beloved Christmas customs, such as the annual lighting of a Christmas tree.
However, in Portland, the essence of Christmas was conspicuously absent from the city's celebration, which was merely labeled a "tree" lighting ceremony and included chants advocating for "free Palestine."
According to Gateway Pundit, the event commenced with a representative from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs expressing gratitude to attendees on Native American Heritage Day. Subsequently, the microphone was handed to a woman adorned in a Palestinian flag, who rallied the crowd with a "Free Palestine" chant.
The New York Post highlighted her remarks: "This is the perfect time to bring this up. There are a lot of genocides going on," she stated shortly after the ceremony began. "Can I get a Free, free Palestine, she inquired, prompting some in the audience to respond.
As the ceremony progressed, nearly an hour in, Mayor Keith Wilson took the stage, introducing Santa Claus and city representatives before illuminating the 75-foot-tall tree with 10,000 lights. Local media, including Oregon Live, referred to the occasion as a 'holiday tree' tradition, further distancing it from its Christmas roots.
The omission of Christmas from a traditionally Christmas-centric event sparked significant backlash. Wayne Allyn Root, a TV and radio host, remarked, "They wont say 'Christmas' but they can use Christmas event to lecture free Palestine.'"
This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the dilution of traditional values in public celebrations, as well as the perceived prioritization of political agendas over cultural heritage.
Login