Gaza protests prompt California governor to hold virtual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony

Published December 6, 2023 2:31 PM

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom won’t host an in-person Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the state Capitol this year. Instead, the Democratic governor will host a pre-recorded ceremony to be released Wednesday. The Governor’s Office said it opted for a virtual ceremony over concerns about the safety of guests. Protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza have targeted California Democrats. They gathered near the state Capitol on Tuesday, the day when the tree lighting appears to have originally been scheduled. Newsom has not called for Israel to halt military actions in Gaza. He traveled to Israel in October and met with some victims of the Hamas attack.

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Associated Press

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