In Wake of Planned ‘Pro-Palestine’ Protests, Newsom Makes California’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony Virtual
I must admit, part of me is dreading the start of 2024.
During the last presidential election year, the nation was forced to endure Black Lives Matter “protests,”…which seemed more like excuses for rioting, looting, and race-based mayhem.
The disruptors got their orders, funding, and plans together earlier this time and aren’t even waiting until the New Year. And this season’s disruption is heavily anti-Israel and antisemitic.
As noted previously by my colleague Mike LaChance, the emerging anti-Israel tactic is the targeting of the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremonies.
Pro-Palestine organizers have already hit New York City’s famous Rockefeller Center tree ceremony and one in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
After returning from a dreadful debate performance against Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis, California Gov. Gavin Newsom was probably disinclined to look any weaker.
Newsom also probably does not want to respond in any way that could be construed as taking a side in the schism that has occurred in the Democratic Party as it relates to support for Israel and its justified response to the Oct. 7th attacks. After all, he is auditioning for the post-Biden president role.
Therefore, when reports indicated that pro-Palestine/anti-Israel protests were slated to occur during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Sacramento, Newsom made the event virtual.
In an abrupt shift of plans, California’s annual holiday tree lighting at the Capitol was postponed a day and moved online, a change state officials attributed to potential protests.The event had been planned as a public gathering Tuesday night but was rescheduled to a pre-recorded, virtual ceremony that will be streamed Wednesday evening, according to a statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.“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,” a spokesperson for the governor’s office said in a statement.
The protesting groups are bitterly clinging to the term “genocide” in their screed against Israel’s justifiable actions to destroy Hamas. Laughably, one group took Newsom to task by referring to Native Americans.
The announcement comes as the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights said it planned to rally and march to the state Capitol Tuesday night to call for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. In an advisory to KCRA 3, the group said it wanted 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.””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,” said Yassar Dahbour of Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights.
Democrats: Their melting pot is so overheated with victim-status rhetoric that it is bubbling over and splattering on the party leaders.
Newsom was slammed on social media by those who were angry that a joyous annual celebration of the Christmas season was changed due to 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.
Children don’t get enough of sparkle from online activities…the experience of a virtual Christmas tree is on par with a streaming broadcast of a roaring fire. There is no magic in it.
2024 is shaping up to be one long year of protest drama, turmoil, and pathetic leadership.
I will head to Mass often in the next few weeks, seeking strength and serenity… and maybe putting some prepping items on my Christmas wish list. I should really stock up on some arrows.
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