“A lot of people probably don’t want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can’t blame them,” Orlando’s City News wrote Friday. “When there’s so much division, hate and turmoil, why on earth would you want to throw a party that celebrates any of that?” The city apologized the next day, saying it was “sincerely sorry” for the “negative impact” of the message. “We understand that these words 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 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 we live in.” The statement had drawn widespread criticism online, with many calling the city’s newsletter “un-American.” The message also caught the attention of the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSandis (R). Newsom pardons woman who killed man who abused her, trafficked her The five most damaging accusations against Trump since the Jan. 6 hearings — so far “Oh here we go,” DeSantis spokeswoman Christina Pushaw tweeted Sunday. “The City of Orlando apologizes if you were offended by their 4th of July attack,” he wrote. “That’s what happens when you elect Democrats, guys … they don’t have the same view of America as we do.” Despite the backlash, some cheered the city’s July 4th 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. “It’s okay to not be okay.”
