"Portland’s annual Christmas tree lighting took an unexpected turn on Friday when a featured speaker used the stage to call Israel’s actions a “full-blown genocide” and led portions of the crowd in chanting “Free Palestine.” The appearance of pro-Palestinian activism at the 41st annual ceremony — attended by thousands in Pioneer Courthouse Square — drew criticism from residents who said the political messaging was out of place at a city-sponsored holiday event."
"Portland officials avoided saying the word “Christmas” throughout the program, referring to the Christmas tree only as “the tree.” In addition to stripping Christmas of its name, traditional Christmas songs were renamed “holiday songs,” and the ceremony made no effort to acknowledge Hanukkah, Chag HaUrim, or any other winter holiday." FULL STORY at above link.