California Muslims shut down Christmas ceremony
Supporters of the Hamas Islamic organization Tuesday forced the City of California to reschedule its Christmas ceremony and move it online.
California’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, held every year in a public gathering for nearly 100 years, was scheduled for Tuesday night. But after learning that the Sacramento Regional Coalition for Palestinian Rights planned to march on the Capitol that night, California Governor Gavin Newsom decided to hold the event virtually due to “protests across the country.”
“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,” Newsom said in a statement.
The pre-recorded ceremony streamed Wednesday night.
On Wednesday morning, hours after Newsom’s decision, other Hamas Islamic supporters hoisted the PLO flag above the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
The incidents sparked concerns about Muslim expansionism as Chanukah celebrations across the country are also canceled.
Last month residents of Oakland, California prevented the city council from condemning Hamas on the basis of “racism” against Islam.
The Oakland City Council unanimously voted to call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. One council member moved to add an amendment explicitly condemning Hamas, but was immediately shot down by Islam supporters.
“Calling Hamas a terrorist organization is ridiculous, racist, and plays into genocidal propaganda that is flooding our media and that we should be doing everything possible to combat,” said a woman wearing a mask.
“As an Arab, asking with this context to condemn Hamas is very anti-Arab racist,” another woman told the council.
“Question: did anyone else notice that those who oppose this resolution are old white supremacists?” asked a young woman.
“To hear them complain about Hamas violence is like listening to a wife beater complain when his wife finally stands up and fights back,” a male protester said.
“I support the right of Palestinians to resist occupation, including through Hamas, the armed wing of the unified Palestinian resistance,” declared another woman.
“Hamas is not a terrorist organization just because the U.S. and Israel deems it so,” said another woman who appeared to call into the meeting. “Hamas is a resistance organization that is fighting for the liberation of Palestinian people in their land.”
