‘Holiday’ tree causes uproar in Rhode Island
Governor claims statement due to state’s founded religious tolerance
Emily Bartelheim
News Editor
Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee has created quite the uproar by recently constructing a “holiday” tree in the Statehouse. Decidedly not a traditional “Christmas” tree. The name has outraged many residents and officials. Republican state lawmaker Doreen Costa decided to light her own Christmas tree that same afternoon in her legislative office. “Political correctness has gone too far,” Costa said. “I don’t care what [Chafee] calls it. Anyone who looks at it knows it’s a Christmas tree. That’s just what it is” (washingtonpost.com). Local radio talk show host John DePetro (of WPRO) has even jumped on the protest wagon, calling Chafee “Gov. Grinch” and urging listeners to crash the holiday tree lighting while singing “O Christmas Tree” (boston.com).
Despite the uproar, Chafee insists that he is simply honoring Rhode Island’s origins as a sanctuary for religious diversity. Chafee also comments that previous governors have used the term “holiday” tree. Roger Williams founded Rhode Island in 1636 as a haven for tolerance, where government and religion would forever be kept separate (washingtonpost.com). “Use of the term ‘holiday tree’ is a continuation of past practice, and does not represent a change of course on my part,” Chafee said in a statement (washingtonpost.com).
Bishop Thomas Tobin, head of the Roman Catholic church in Providence, said the governor’s decision to call it a “holiday” tree was “most disheartening and divisive” (AP).