City of Orlando issues apology after July 4 statement

Officials with the city said of July 4, "When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating any of it?"

By Michael Eng
| 4:07 p.m. July 2, 2022

West Orange Times & Observer
News

After an initial statement regarding the celebration of the upcoming July 4 holiday received backlash, officials representing the city of Orlando on social media issued an apology.

In the original emailed statement, city representatives questioned why anyone would celebrate the holiday at all.

"A lot of people probably don't want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can't blame them," the original statement read. "When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating any of it?

"But in all seriousness, you know in your heart, Fourth of July fireworks are amazing, especially when you are standing in 90-degree heat, 100% humidity, next to 100,000 of your closest friends," it read. "In that moment, something takes over, and we all become united in an inexplicable bond. Yes, America is in strife right now, but you know what ... we already bought the fireworks."

The statement was made to promote the city's Fireworks at the Fountain 2022, which is scheduled to take place Monday, July 4, at Lake Eola Park, Downtown Orlando.

The statement received some backlash, notably from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 25, which represents police officers in Orlando.

"We do not share the same views as the city of Orlando and find their comments in inflammatory and in poor taste," the FOP said on Twitter.

Later in the day, city representatives issued an apology.

"The city of Orlando sincerely regrets the negative impact our words have had on some in our community," the apology read. "We understand these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intent. We value the freedoms we have in this country and are thankful to the men and women who fought and continue to fight for those. We take pride in celebrating the Fourth of July to express our gratitude to those men and women and honor the country we live in."

To celebrate the Fourth of July in West Orange and Southwest Orange, check out our comprehensive guide of all July 4 events.

author

Michael Eng

As a child, Editor and Publisher Michael Eng collected front pages of the Kansas City Star during Operation Desert Storm, so it was a foregone conclusion that he would pursue a career in journalism. He holds a journalism degree from the University of Missouri — Columbia School of Journalism. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his wife and three children, or playing drums around town. He’s also a sucker for dad jokes.