Christmas trees now allowed in Massachusetts town's public libraries after massive pushback. Last year some folks allegedly were 'uncomfortable' with them.



The Grinch won't be getting his way this year in Dedham, Massachusetts, as Christmas trees are now allowed to go up in the town's public libraries.

Last year some folks allegedly were "uncomfortable" with the sight of a tree in one library, which reportedly led to a ban on Christmas trees in general this season — and then a massive pushback against the decision commenced.

What's the background?

Lisa Desmond, supervisor of the Endicott branch of Dedham's libraries, said in a Facebook post earlier this month, "I found out today that my beautiful library will not have [its] Christmas tree this year. Zero explanation. When I asked I was told 'people' were made uncomfortable last year looking at it. I’m sorry WHAT?"

Desmond said in the comments section of her post that the Dedham public library director made the decision.

Desmond added that in her 28 years at the library, she's "never heard a negative comment. We have celebrated and included everyone in our community. In fact, I was asked to emcee Juneteenth this year. What an honor. Those who know me and my family know we celebrate Christmas Hanukkah. My Muslim friends and Western Indian friends invite me to their celebrations. What an amazing gift. ... Those who know me know I lead with positive intentions. I’m not feeling very positive today. Please bring Christmas back to my beautiful library. And always lead with love in your heart."

Hundreds of comments under several related posts on Desmond's Facebook page are squarely against banning Christmas trees in the town's public libraries.

'For a motherf***ing Christmas tree'

Desmond also added a post with screenshots of a profanity-laced rant on a local Facebook page against Desmond and her issues with the Christmas tree cancellation. The poster — whom Desmond said works for a local human rights commission — said Desmond is a "selfish, f***ing bitch who does not care about anyone else but herself. For a tree? A motherf***ing TREE? You have put people's lives in a lot of danger. A lot of danger. For a motherf***ing Christmas tree."

The post also reads, "I hope that you — who claim to believe in Christ or whatever happy horses**t you're trying to hide behind — are the least gracious, most hateful, most disgusting trash in the world. Is this what you think your magic sky daddy wants?"

Desmond noted that "police have been notified" in regard to words in the aforementioned post.

'Christmas trees will be put up'

Library Director Amber Moroney said in a statement Monday that "Christmas trees will be put up" at both of Dedham's public libraries, WBTS reported.

"What has played out on social media is unfortunate," Moroney said, according tot the station, adding that "it has negatively impacted our staff and the community, and frankly, transpired before we had even started our seasonal decorating. As we finish decorating for this holiday season, Christmas trees will be put up at both locations." She added, "To be clear, there is no ban on Christmas at the Dedham library."

A statement from Dedham officials Friday said "town staff" were "targeted by recent online threats and bullying" over the controversy and that "what could have been something of legitimate discourse turned neighbor against neighbor, and has threatened the safety and well-being of community members and staff."

Here's a video report about the controversy when it was first brewing last week:

Library controversially leaves Christmas trees out of holiday decorationsyoutu.be

Christmas tree banned from public library allegedly after 'people were made uncomfortable' by it last year



A Christmas tree isn't going up in a Massachusetts public library this seasonafter "people were [allegedly] made uncomfortable" by "looking at it" last year.

What are the details?

Lisa Desmond, a branch supervisor at the Dedham Public Library, said last week on Facebook that "I found out today that my beautiful library will not have [its] Christmas tree this year. Zero explanation. When I asked I was told 'people' were made uncomfortable last year looking at it. I’m sorry WHAT?"

Desmond said in the comments section of her post that the library director made the decision; WBZ-AM said the director is Amber Moroney.

Desmond added that in her 28 years at the library, she's "never heard a negative comment. We have celebrated and included everyone in our community. In fact, I was asked to emcee Juneteenth this year. What an honor. Those who know me and my family know we celebrate Christmas Hanukkah. My Muslim friends and Western Indian friends invite me to their celebrations. What an amazing gift. ... Those who know me know I lead with positive intentions. I’m not feeling very positive today. Please bring Christmas back to my beautiful library. And always lead with love in your heart."

'For a motherf***ing Christmas tree'

Desmond added another post Tuesday with screenshots of a profanity-laced rant against her and her issues with the Christmas tree cancellation on a local Facebook page. The poster — whom Desmond said works for a local human rights commission — said Desmond is a "selfish, f***ing bitch who does not care about anyone else but herself. For a tree? A motherf***ing TREE? You have put people's lives in a lot of danger. A lot of danger. For a motherf***ing Christmas tree."

The post also read, "I hope that you — who claim to believe in Christ or whatever happy horses**t you're trying to hide behind — are the least gracious, most hateful, most disgusting trash in the world. Is this what you think your magic sky daddy wants?"

Desmond noted that "police have been notified" in regard to words in the aforementioned post.

She also said the Board of Library Trustees is meeting Tuesday and encouraged residents to make their voices heard about the controversy: "If you can’t make it, a letter to the board might help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. However you celebrate, I wish you and your family love and peace."

Christmas carolers get thumbs down from angry onlookers who try drowning them out with amplified noise. The carolers' response? A hearty, 'Merry Christmas!'



Members of Christ Church may have gathered Sunday on Friendship Square in Moscow, Idaho, to sing Christmas carols as they do every year — but the reception this time was anything but friendly.

What happened?

Video captured the moment when one man stood outside the Moscow Hotel and made disapproving gestures toward the approximately 300 carolers, the Moscow Report said. Among the gestures was a thumbs down and a flip of the back of his hand under his chin and toward the group:

Image source: YouTube screenshot

What's more, amplified noise was coming from one of the hotel's open windows — and the paper said a witness at the scene who measured the sound with his smartphone said it topped 90 decibels.

Image source: YouTube screenshot

But the apparent attempt to drown out the carolers was met with grace.

Pastor Doug Wilson stood up after one carol — while the noise was overtaking the sonic space in the street — and suggested that the carolers offer a hearty "Merry Christmas!" in the face of opposition, the Report said.

And they did just that.

Wilson then suggested that the group move to another spot — as carolers do — and the group settled in for more singing at a fountain, the paper said.

As the carolers crossed the street and continued singing, the noise soon ceased, and the Report said the only sounds were the carolers offering more songs of the season.

Citation issued

The paper said Moscow Police cited the individual responsible for the noise for disturbing the peace, adding that an MPD officer stayed on the scene to make sure no other illegal disturbances would impede the carolers.

Christ Church Caroling on Friendship Square | December 5th, 2021youtu.be

Anything else?

Check out commentary on what went down in Moscow, Idaho, from CBN News and former writers from TheBlaze's Billy Hallowell and Tre Goins-Phillips — along with one of the carolers:

300 Christmas Carolers Met With Obnoxious Noise Machine and Hecklersyoutu.be

This Year’s ‘War On Christmas’ Looks A Little Different In A Pandemic

WAR ON CHRISTMAS

Christmas lights on home ripped as 'harmful,' 'reminder of divisions ... systemic biases.' Then anonymous critic gets holiday haranguing.



A Minnesota couple received an anonymous letter Monday criticizing the Christmas light display on their St. Anthony home as "harmful," Fox News noted.

Say what?

The letter to Kim Hunt and her husband started out like so: "I couldn't help but notice your Christmas lights display. During these unprecedented times, we have all experienced challenges which casual words just don't describe what we're feeling. The idea of twinkling, colorful lights are a reminder of divisions that continue to run through our society, a reminder of systemic biases against our neighbors who don't celebrate Christmas or who can't afford to put up lights of their own."

It adds that "we must do the work of educating ourselves about the harmful impact an outward facing display like yours can have."

Here's a look at the letter — and the "harmful" Christmas lights:

ICYMI: Here's the actual photo of the "offensive" Christmas lights... https://t.co/jIl9mj2L7A
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls)1607434583.0

The letter writer then says, "I challenge you to respect the dignity of all people, while striving to learn from differences, ideas, and opinions of our neighbors. We must come together collectively and challenge these institutional inequities. St. Anthony is a community welcoming of all people, and we must demand better for ourselves."

What did Hunt have to say?

Hunt told Fox News that she and her husband were "very surprised, shocked, and saddened by the letter" — particularly since the lights give her a sense of "joy" when she returns from her job as a nurse working with COVID-19 patients.

She added to the cable network that "these times we live in are so divisive" and that it's "a sad statement that Christmas lights have to be a target."

"We need to be inclusive of everyone, and let's face it, a lot of people put up holiday lights or decorate their homes for other occasions to bring beauty and happiness to what can be a very ugly world," Hunt told Fox News, adding that three other homes in the area have received the same letter.

What did observers have to say?

As you might expect, the letter writer got an earful from Twitter users who saw the Crime Watch post containing the photo of the letter.

Fox News said former Baltimore Ravens quarterback Derek Anderson observed: "Saw this coming a long time ago. 'If I can't have it nobody can' or 'if they have it we all deserve it' that's not life."

Others had similar reactions:

  • "Ironic that the letter writer is doing exactly what they accuse the homeowner of doing — not being accepting of others," another commenter said. "I would redouble my lights."
  • "People just need to stop already!!" another user declared. "If I lived in that neighborhood I'd help the owner put up even more lights."
  • "If I were the recipient of that letter, I would put up THREE TIMES the amount of lights that I originally had put up," another commenter noted.

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