LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - The annual Christmas tree-lighting event at the State Capitol Building is on Saturday. However, this year, there’s a big change on who can attend the decades-long occasion. This year’s Capitol tree lighting will be a private event.

Gov. Jim Pillen was behind the decision to allow only state lawmakers and their families to attend, and for each lawmaker eight tickets for their constituents to come.

10/11 News reached out to the governor’s office on why this decision was made, a spokesperson for the governor said it’s due to security concerns.

Last year’s tree lighting saw a number of protestors who showed up with signs that read “Free Palestine” among other related messages. But State Sen. Danielle Conrad said that security has not been an issue and the event should

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