Bryan Stalder
Contributor

A memo sent to Kansas City employees last week sparked swift criticism from First District Councilman Nathan Willett, who called the guidance “disgusting,” “unprovoked,” and harmful to faith communities across the city.

The memo, issued by City Manager Mario Vasquez, outlines how City Hall will approach seasonal decorations this year. Vasquez said that in order to maintain inclusivity and uphold the separation of church and state, City Hall would use only secular and cultural holiday décor in public spaces—items such as decorated trees, winter greenery, lights, poinsettias, and cultural pieces like the Kinara used during Kwanzaa. Religious symbols, he wrote, would not be displayed as part of the building’s official decorations.

“This helps us respect the wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs held by our employees, visitors, and residents,” Vasquez said in the memo.

Willett posted this memo on Facebook Thursday, December 4, saying he was “disgusted” when he received it.

“That’s not the City Hall I believe in. This is a welcoming city,” he wrote. “Where did this come from? What’s the rationale? This is unprovoked—bah humbug.”

Willett said employees should be able to decorate their offices and cubicles according to their own faith traditions, whether that includes a menorah, a nativity scene, or a Star of Bethlehem. Limiting religious symbols, he argued, sends the wrong message to the city’s diverse religious communities.

“We need to make space for everyone,” Willett said. “Traditional Christian, traditional Jewish—whatever your faith background is should be welcome in our city and welcome in our public spaces.”

He also questioned whether the policy would impact longstanding traditions at City Hall, including the annual menorah lighting ceremony.

“Are you suggesting we take down the Menorah? No more yearly tradition of lighting the Menorah with our Jewish neighbors in the council chamber? Are we going to take prayer out of council session next?” Willett wrote.

Vasquez, asked the evening of Thursday, December 4, about Willett’s comments, said he had not yet seen them. His office later clarified that the memo “was not issued as a directive” but rather a notice explaining how the city intends to maintain an inclusive environment.

“We know this aligns with the Council’s goals as well,” the statement read.

Mayor Quinton Lucas’ office issued a resolution Friday, December 5 ensuring that the menorah lighting ceremony would continue this year as planned. Lucas said there was little time remaining in the holiday season to fully discuss the memo but added he intends to seek “an avenue for us to be able to address this issue further.” The city’s Menorah lighting ceremony was subsequently held on the first evening of Hanukka, Sunday, December 14.

Willett said he respects Vasquez but still plans to challenge the policy, calling it “unnecessary and unprovoked.”

The Northeast News recently revisited a feature originally published in 2022 exploring how Christmas is celebrated around the world — including in nations where Christians are a minority and where cultural traditions vary widely.

In light of the current debate over what symbols belong in public spaces, this global perspective on the holiday season feels especially timely. In many countries, the season is marked by a mix of religious, cultural, and communal traditions, often blended together in ways that reflect the diversity of the communities who celebrate them.

Readers can explore these traditions — from Myanmar to Mexico, Cuba to South Sudan — in our refreshed feature: Christmas Traditions Around the World.