By Alexander Lee
 

​FILE - In this Saturday, July 4, 2020, file photo, Fourth of July fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol along the National Mall in Washington. President Joe Biden wants to imbue Independence Day with new meaning in 2021 by encouraging nationwide celebrations to mark the country’s effective return to normalcy after 16 months of pandemic disruption. The White House says the National Mall in Washington will host the traditional fireworks ceremony and it’s encouraging other communities hold festivities as well. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)


In the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, which commenced with the battles in Lexington and Concord in April 1775, the notion of complete independence from Britain was considered a radical idea. However, in January 1776, Thomas Paine ignited the revolutionary spirit with his book "Common Sense," preaching the justification for independence. That summer, the Declaration of Independence was adopted, declaring the self-evident truth that all men are created equal. The 4th of July is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States.

Each year, the nation is illuminated with spectacular fireworks displays. Even amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and protests against racial discrimination last year, the fireworks persisted. While street events were canceled, fireworks still lit up the sky from homes, leading to an unprecedented boom in the fireworks industry. This year, large-scale events are making a comeback, leading to a shortage of fireworks.

The White House has extended invitations to 1,000 guests who were at the forefront of the battle against coronavirus to attend an Independence Day event. At this gathering, the White House will declare a "summer of joy and freedom," symbolizing the nation's independence from the virus that claimed the lives of 600,000 Americans. Nearly seven out of every ten Americans over the age of 18 have received at least one vaccine dose, and close to 90 percent of those over 65 have received their first shot.

However, as Covid-19 restrictions ease and warmer weather sets in, American society faces an unexpected crisis: a surge in public security concerns. In the picturesque city of San Francisco, lawlessness seems to have taken hold, with thieves brazenly robbing stores in the downtown area. In broad daylight, these criminals openly pilfer goods while onlookers, including security guards, stand by helplessly. Thieves break car windows and steal valuables with alarming frequency, and the arrest rate hovers below 3 percent.

Violent crimes, especially gun violence, have escalated. According to the non-profit organization Gun Violence Archive (GVA), there have been over 300 shootings resulting in four or more victims this year alone, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year and a 60 percent rise since 2019. With weekend crowds gathering, gun-related crimes are on the rise.

President Joe Biden is deeply concerned that these security challenges could mar the celebrations. In the lead-up to the holiday, a series of security measures have been announced. He has emphasized the need for gun control and zero tolerance for illicit gun dealers, declaring, "We will make sure you can't sell death and mayhem on our streets." However, a more robust gun control bill has yet to be processed by the Senate.

As economic inequality deepens, and persistent issues of racial discrimination and gun violence continue to plague the nation, warning signs abound that this may not be the summer of joy and freedom that was anticipated.
 
Reporter Alexander Lee alexanderlee_24@newsyn.co.kr