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The ceremony featured speakers who used the occasion to address global issues and promote political activism. One speaker boldly remarked that the holiday season was an ideal time to discuss genocide, citing countries such as Sudan, Congo, Yemen, Lebanon, and Haiti. She extended the conversation to include the Israel-Palestine conflict, encouraging attendees to pray for Palestinians and oppressed peoples worldwide.
Further, she attempted to galvanize the crowd with chants of “Free Palestine,” reflecting the increasingly politicized nature of public gatherings. The event also included traditional caroling, with the crowd singing "Angels We Have Heard on High," but even in this moment, the tone was infused with political messaging rather than seasonal cheer.