The city of Orlando, Florida has apologized after a controversy arose over comments posted for its annual 4th of July fireworks celebrations.
In the statement, published in the city bulletin last Friday, it said:
“Probably a lot of people I don’t want to celebrate our nation right nowAnd we can’t blame them. When there’s so much division and hate and unrest, why the hell would you want to have a party to celebrate any of that?
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“But in all seriousness, you know in your heart that 4th of July fireworks are amazing, especially when you’re standing in 90° heat, 100% humidity, alongside 100,000 of your closest friends,” the bulletin added. “At that moment, something takes over and we all come together in an inexplicable bond.
“Yes, the United States is in conflict right now, but you know what… we already bought the fireworks.”
Although the post did not explicitly describe the “strife” facing the United States, many Americans have hinted that they will avoid celebrations after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, discouraging news emerging from the Jan. 6 hearings, multiple mass shootings in recent weeks, and the costs of rising inflation.
The statement sparked disappointment online, with some criticizing the “un-American” message.
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Christina Pushaw, spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, shared his disgust in a tweet.
The local police union also shouted the messageissuing a statement calling the City’s comments “incendiary” and “in poor taste,” Newsweek reports.
Florida House of Representatives candidate Vennia Francois tweeted that she found the newsletter “unacceptable and highly inappropriate.”
The city apologized the next day, saying it “sincerely regrets” the “negative impact” of the message.
“We understand that these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intention,” he said Saturday. Sorry read. “We value the freedoms we have in this country and are grateful to the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for them.
“We are proud to celebrate the 4th of July to express our gratitude to those men and women and to honor the country in which we live.”
Others, however, defended the original post, arguing that many Americans don’t feel like celebrating this year.
“You guys don’t need to apologize: your first email caught the tone of how many Americans (and Orlandoans) feel right now,” Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani tweeted Saturday. “It is good not to be good.”
Others said that the original message from the City he encapsulated his feelings perfectly.
“No, you were RIGHT! We are truly in unprecedented times, going backwards and stripping us of our freedoms and undoing history. They say we should return power to the states, right?… ORLANDO HAS A VOICE AND YOU TALKED TO IT!” one person tweeted.
“Absolutely NOTHING wrong with the original tweet!!! The truth hurts sometimes and that is EXACTLY how most of us feel!” another wrote.
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Meanwhile, American celebrities and public figures have been sharing their own messages on why they are choosing to forgo Independence Day celebrations this year.
Kim Kardashian shared a post on her Instagram Stories that read, “The 4th of July has been canceled due to a shortage of Independence. Sincerely, Women.”
Instagram / @kimkardashian
Claudia Conway, daughter of Kellyanne Conway, a former Donald Trump administration employee, and political pundit George Conway, questioned why Americans would want to celebrate this year.
And actress Jessica Chastain shared a photo on Instagram, where she stares into the camera while raising both middle fingers.
“Happy ‘Independence’ Day from me and my reproductive rights,” she wrote.
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