The annual tree lighting ceremony in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square was supposed to mark a joyful start to the holiday season.
Instead, it ignited a firestorm of criticism — not over the event itself, but over what the city chose not to say: the word “Christmas.”
In a move that has sparked backlash and bewilderment, city officials referred to the towering fir tree in the center of the square simply as “the tree.” No Christmas, no holiday designation — just “the tree.” To many, this was more than just awkward semantics. It was, in their view, a deliberate erasure of tradition in the name of performative inclusivity.
The event, as always, was filled with lights, music, and cheer. Santa Claus made an appearance, lighting the tree to the delight of thousands of residents. Yet despite all the hallmarks of a Christmas celebration — from the festive songs to the 10,000 glowing bulbs — the city sidestepped the word entirely. Even the signage in front of the tree bore the generic label, a fact that prompted one dismayed visitor to declare online, “Friends, I’m reclaiming this tree and it is HEREBY the Portland CHRISTMAS Tree.”
But what truly shifted the tone of the night was what unfolded on stage. City council member Candace Avalos, joined by activists protesting a local Starbucks, sang “holiday songs” while a Muslim woman, waving a Palestinian flag, addressed the crowd with a stark message: “There’s a full-blown genocide happening, live streaming in 4K.”
Her attempt to lead a “Free, Free Palestine” chant drew only a modest response, but her presence and remarks — amid a tree lighting ceremony — left some attendees shocked at the overt political shift.
The controversy has placed a spotlight on a broader frustration felt by many in and outside Portland. Critics say the city has leaned so far into ideological virtue signaling that it’s losing touch with basic community traditions and priorities. The tree, once a symbol of seasonal joy, has now become a flashpoint in a cultural tug-of-war.
This comes at a time when the city is already facing scrutiny over other “woke” policies. Councilor Angelita Morillo, who lives in a luxury high-rise outside of the city’s most impacted zones, proposed slashing $4.3 million from Portland’s homeless cleanup program to reallocate funds to refugee support — a move many saw as detached from the grim realities on the streets. Portland’s homeless population has surged to over 12,000 across the tri-county area, a staggering 61% increase since 2023, according to Portland State University.
In September, Mayor Keith Wilson even sent out a mass email to over 17,000 residents, pleading for volunteers and donations to address the “humanitarian crisis” in Portland. His message, laced with political overtones, warned that if locals didn’t step up, federal authorities — namely Donald Trump — might return with more aggressive measures.
