While dissent from the land of the free is second nature to social media mischief, even NPR and ESPN got in on the act this year — with the nation’s public broadcaster canceling the reading of the Declaration of Independence and self-proclaimed “World Leader in Sports” devoting significant space on its website to a column lamenting how America is “falling apart.” For 33 straight years, longtime NPR “Morning Edition” host Steve Inskeep has celebrated the Fourth of July by reading America’s founding document. That ritual ended unceremoniously this year. “This 4th of July we’re breaking tradition,” “Morning Edition” co-host Leila Fadel announced on Twitter Monday. “Instead of reading the Declaration of Independence, @NPRinkeep examines what equality means and stands for in that document. An important part of our past and future.” “Many of our conversations this Fourth of July are about what equality means. Which voting rules really provide equal access to the ballot? Do abortion laws give a woman equal control over her own body? At what point is a fetus entitled to equal rights?’ Inskeep question during the 11-minute segment. Several celebrities have said they won’t be celebrating the Fourth of July thanks to the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.James Keivom The Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that guaranteed women the right to abortion nationwide, prompted many anti-American statements and gestures — like the double-birds made by Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain. “Happy Independence Day from me and my reproductive rights,” Chastain tweeted, adding a photo of herself showing both of her middle fingers to the camera. Actress Jessica Chastain tweeted a photo with the caption, “Happy ‘Independence’ Day from me and my royalties.”jes_chastain/Twitter Other A-listers expressed similar sentiments about the celebration’s price in the wake of Roe v. Wade. Both Kim Kardashian and mom Kris Jenner shared a post on both of their Instagram stories that read, “4th of July canceled due to lack of Independence. Sincerely, Ladies.” Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) claimed on Twitter that this July 4th is “overshadowed by the dark reality of the Supreme Court decision that makes half of America less equal.” “Instead of celebrations and barbecues, many are choosing to do the most American thing they can do today: protest peacefully,” he added. In that vein, Claudia Conway, daughter of former Trump administration staffer Kellyanne Conway and political pundit George Conway, marched in an abortion rights protest in New Jersey and questioned why Americans should join her “propaganda 4th of July”. “We are not free. Why celebrate independence when not all of us have independence. And that’s why we’re out here fighting for our reproductive rights, challenging the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court,” he said. , ESPN writer Howard Bryant penned his thoughts on the holiday in a column titled “Baseball, BBQ, and Losing Freedom This Fourth of July.” Rep. Anna Eshoo claimed on Twitter that this Fourth of July is “overshadowed by the dark reality of the Supreme Court ruling that makes half of America less equal.” Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images “It’s Independence Day in America with independence under current and relentless attack,” Bryant wrote. “From Miranda rights to the environment, to separation of church and state, to guns – so many guns – people are upset. The US Supreme Court ran a chainsaw through what two generations of Americans knew was the legal basis of their lives.” “Tens of millions of women today do not feel freedom and certainly do not celebrate independence. People who can get pregnant and feel celebratory towards the Court may do so from winning their position, but it remains true that the power of choice – and the right to privacy – has been taken away from everyone,” he said. . The city of Orlando spent the holiday weekend cleaning up its own mess after a bulletin Friday about planned Fourth of July celebrations sparked a different kind of fireworks. Kim Kardashian, as well as mom Kris Jenner, shared a post on her Instagram story that read: “4th of July canceled due to lack of Independence. Sincerely, Women.” NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images “A lot of people probably don’t want to celebrate our nation right now and we can’t blame them. When there’s so much division and hate and turmoil, why on earth would you want to throw a party that celebrates that?’ he was saying. The city continued: “But in all seriousness, you know in your gut, 4th of July fireworks are amazing, especially when you’re standing in 90° heat, 100% humidity, next to 100,000 of your closest friends. In that moment, something takes over and we all become united in an inexplicable bond. Yes, America is in conflict right now, but you know what… we already bought the fireworks. Orlando officials backed down Sunday after a barrage of criticism, including from Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis. “We understand that these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intention,” the city said. “We value the freedoms we have in this country and are grateful to the men and women who fought and continue to fight for them,” the statement said. “We are proud to celebrate the Fourth of July to express our gratitude to these men and women and to honor the country we live in.”
