PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (WPRI) - Hundreds protested a holiday tree lighting in Rhode Island because the governor refuses to call it a Christmas Tree.
Governor Lincoln Chafee recently made the switch in an effort to be inclusive. He says "if we're going to have a tree here, it should be a holiday tree. It should be secular."
Many protested, singing Christmas songs over the choir to voice their opinions. "It's a Christmas tree, you know," said Frank Gaglia, "How can you celebrate Christmas without a Christmas Tree? The Christmas tree has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years."
The Catholic Diocese, along with a representative from Rhode Island, held their separate Christmas tree lightings.
"We're disappointed that the Governor decided to eliminate the word 'Christmas' from his celebration," said Bishop Thomas Tobin from the Providence Diocese. "Obviously, there's a reason we do it in December."
WPRI