[Video] Newsom and First Partner Release Diwali Greeting as California's Diwali Holiday Law Stands Ruled Unconstitutional
Sacramento — California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom released a Diwali greeting video on the governor's official YouTube channel on November 8, sending their wishes to Californians celebrating the festival. Diwali falls on November 8 this year, and Newsom said in the video that this is the first year Diwali has been officially recognized as a California state holiday.
In the video, Jennifer Siebel Newsom speaks first, wishing all those celebrating Diwali a beautiful festival of lights and describing how, for generations, families have gathered to light diyas, share meals and pass down cherished traditions. Newsom then says this year marks the first time Diwali has been officially recognized as a California state holiday, while noting it has always been an important part of California tradition. The two close by wishing that this Diwali bring peace, prosperity and joy to everyone and their loved ones, saying together: "Happy Diwali, California!"
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists and symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. California is home to one of the largest Indian American communities in the United States.
The holiday's legal status, however, is in dispute. Newsom signed AB 268 on October 6, 2025, adding Diwali to California's list of state holidays effective January 1, 2026: public schools and community colleges were authorized to close on Diwali, and state employees could elect to take paid time off, making California the third state after Pennsylvania and Connecticut to recognize Diwali as a state holiday. The San Francisco Taxpayers Association then sued. In July 2026, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Stephen Acquisto ruled the law unconstitutional in its current wording, finding that it gave Diwali special treatment based on its religious importance without sufficient secular considerations, in violation of the establishment clauses of the U.S. and California constitutions. A November 4 notice from the California Department of Industrial Relations confirmed that, consistent with the court's decision in SF Taxpayers' Association et al. v. Newsom et al. (Case No. 25WM000231), Diwali will not be enforced as a recognized holiday pending further judicial review. The California State Assembly has since adopted HR 137, a resolution recognizing Diwali on November 8, 2026, which does not establish a paid holiday.
(Source: Office of the Governor of California)
Reference: California Department of Industrial Relations
Source: Office of the Governor of California
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：加州州长纽森与第一伴侣 Jennifer Siebel Newsom 出镜排灯节祝福视频（2026年11月8日）。加州州长办公室官方视频封面图。 / Photo: California Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom appear in their Diwali greeting video, November 8, 2026. Official video cover image, Office of the Governor of California.
