The city of Orlando, Fla., apologized Saturday for its Independence Day announcement that said the nation was in “struggle” and questioned why people would want to celebrate the holiday in the city’s weekly bulletin.
“A lot of people probably don’t want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can’t blame them,” Orlando’s City News reported Friday. “When there is so much division, hatred and unrest, why on earth would you want to throw a party to celebrate it?”
The city apologized the next day, saying it “sincerely regrets” the “negative impact” of the announcement.
“We understand that these words have offended some of our residents, which was not our intention,” the city wrote in its apology. “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 these men and women and to honor the country in which we live.
The statement drew widespread criticism online, with many calling the city’s bulletin “un-American.” The announcement also caught the attention of the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
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“Oh, here we go,” DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushow tweeted.
“The City of Orlando apologizes if you were offended by their attack on the 4th of July,” she wrote. “Here’s what happens when you elect Democrats, guys … they don’t have the same view of America that we do.”
Despite the backlash, some welcomed the city’s July 4 message.
“No need to apologize – your first email captured the tone of how many Americans (and Orlando residents) are feeling right now,” Florida state Rep. Anna Escamani (D), who represents parts of Orlando, tweeted Saturday. “It’s okay to not be okay.”
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