Governor Gavin Newsom canceled Tuesday’s in-person tree lighting ceremony at the State Capitol, citing alleged safety concerns amid planned protests by Palestinian rights groups.
Newsom’s office announced the sudden change Tuesday afternoon, deciding instead to livestream a “pre-recorded virtual ceremony” on Wednesday evening.
“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.
The Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights had announced a march to the Capitol during the ceremony to call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. In a statement to KCRA, the group slammed Newsom for his “shameful stance in regard to the genocide in Gaza."
Newsom briefly visited Tel Aviv in October, where he expressed support for Israel after the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. But the trip drew backlash from critics who called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
Over 16,000 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Israeli assault, and most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes.
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