Red and green Christmas decorations banned in public spaces in Wisconsin city. Why?
Workers in a Wisconsin city have been instructed to refrain from using traditional Christmas decor in public places, according to news reports.
Melissa Cantarero Weiss, the deputy city administrator for Wauwatosa, said in an email to city workers that Wauwatosa should have a “welcoming and inclusive environment” during the holiday season, according to the email obtained by Wisconsin Right Now.
This means no religious decorations and no red or green colors, which are often associated with Christmas, the e-mail outlined.
“Instead, we encourage you to opt for more neutral and inclusive decorations that celebrate the season without favoring any particular faith belief system,” according to the email.
In the letter, also obtained by WDJT, Weiss encouraged workers to use winter theming instead of decorations that could be considered religious.
Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride said in a Nov. 12 Facebook post he received emails from people who have expressed outrage. He did not impose the policy but said some have previously complained about religious displays at city hall.
“My understanding is that our administrators are trying to minimize the discomfort that some people feel when they come to a government building for governmental, non-religious functions.
“I imagine that some Christians who come to city hall might feel uncomfortable if they saw decorations celebrating Muslim holidays,” he added in the post.
‘Why are holiday colors a priority?’
Many people have questioned the city’s decision to ban traditional Christmas symbols, including Wauwatosa mayoral candidate Ald Meindl.
Meindl said city administrators should instead be focusing on priorities, such as police and fire staffing, affordable housing and safety.
“Why are holiday colors a priority for city leadership with so many other pressing issues we face as a city?” he said in a Facebook comment.
Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit law firm that describes itself as a “defender of religious freedom and conservative values,” called the city’s ban unconstitutional.
In a six-page letter to Wauwatosa City Administrator Jim Archambo, Liberty Counsel demanded the retraction of the ban. The group referred to the ban as “Orwellian,” alluding to the dystopian nature of some of George Orwell’s novels.
“The Christmas holiday ban violates the U.S. Constitution by showing hostility toward Christianity,” the nonprofit said. “The First Amendment does not permit the city to eliminate Christmas holiday symbols or expression in a misguided attempt to be ‘inclusive’ by eliminating all traditional elements of expression regarding a federally and state recognized holiday.”
Wauwatosa is a suburb of Milwaukee.
This story was originally published November 14, 2023 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Red and green Christmas decorations banned in public spaces in Wisconsin city. Why?."