Politics & Government

Niles Mayor Refuses To Call It A 'Holiday' Tree



As Mayor Andrew Przybylo announced that the village of Niles' first-ever tree lighting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 26, he said he's calling it a Christmas tree and welcomed those of all religions, and no religions, to come enjoy the spirit of community.

Przybylo made the statement at a village board meeting Tuesday and repeated it at the Niles Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday.

"I've been asked lately by some that we should not call our tree a Christmas tree but rather the holiday tree. I will tell all that this village does not espouse any religious significance to our Christmas tree," he said at the luncheon.

"What all those attending will be doing is joining the spirit of Christmas. What all those attending will be doing is thinking about love and gifting. We will not be playing politics with our Christmas tree. And so all religious-minded, agnostics too, atheists also, and all those who choose to believe in family and community, I hope you are there and spread good cheer," he said. 

In recent years, confusion about what is legally permitted and a societal hallmark of not letting government appear to mix with religion have prompted many governments to call seasonal trees "holiday trees," or stick with neutral decorations unlikely to cause anyone offense, such as garlands and reindeer.

Since about the 1980s, lawsuits have been filed in various U.S. states and cities seeking to prevent the display of religious symbols. This history from the Municipal Research and Services Center suggests that the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, have held that holiday displays are permissible if they include a mix of religious and secular symbols, such as a menorah, creche and snowman, if they are arranged as a grouping. It does not address the issue of what to call an evergreen tree arranged as part of a December display.

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