Portland‘s annual tree-lighting ceremony drew thousands to Pioneer Courthouse Square on Friday night, and a wave of criticism online, after city leaders avoided calling the 75-foot Douglas fir a “Christmas tree,” with one speaker using the platform to lead a “Free Palestine” chant.
The event, now in its 41st year, was promoted across the city and Pioneer Courthouse Square social media accounts simply as “Portland’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.” The event’s advertisements did not include the word “Christmas.”
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