Portland sparks outrage for city’s ‘tree’ lighting ceremony: ‘They can’t even say Christmas tree’

Portland’s Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony Sparks Controversy

Portland’s annual tree-lighting ceremony in Pioneer Courthouse Square has sparked outrage after organizers decided to strip the Christmas tree of its name, referring to it only as “the tree” during the event. The controversial move came as thousands of people gathered for the 41st annual tree-lighting ceremony, where leaders and speakers carefully avoided mentioning “Christmas” in any part of the festivities.

The ceremony began with a woman from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs thanking the crowd for coming out on Native American Heritage Day. Two younger members of the tribe then took the stage, referring to the event simply as “the tree lighting.” However, the tone of the ceremony took a sharp turn when a speaker draped in a Palestinian flag used her platform to lead the crowd in a “free Palestine” chant, drawing attention away from the holiday spirit.

“This is the perfect time to bring this up. There are a lot of genocides going on,” she stated, before rallying the crowd to chant “free, free Palestine.” She then led the audience in the “Strong Woman Song,” emphasizing the representation of matriarchs in the performance.

Despite the controversial moments, the event did include a visit from Santa Claus, who posed with families and led a sing-along of holiday carols such as “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Deck the Halls.” Mayor Keith Wilson eventually took the stage to address the crowd and officially light up the 75-foot-tall tree adorned with 10,000 bulbs.

While the ceremony proceeded without incident, it did receive criticism online for its lack of traditional Christmas spirit. Some viewers expressed disappointment that the city chose to avoid using the term “Christmas tree,” with one user on X commenting, “They can’t even say Christmas tree in Portland. They call it ‘the tree’.”

The controversy surrounding Portland’s tree-lighting ceremony highlights the ongoing debate over the secularization of holiday traditions. As the city continues to navigate the delicate balance between inclusivity and tradition, it remains to be seen how future holiday events will be approached in the years to come.