U.S. plans for cautious Fourth of July
BOSTON (AP) – Independence Day 2002 promises to be unlike any before it – brimming with patriotism but also extraordinary precautions. From Boston’s riverfront to Washington’s National Mall to South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore, the celebrations of America’s 226th birthday are expected to reflect the Sept. 11 attacks with exceptional national pride, but also skittishness over security.
The question is whether Americans will venture out for celebrations.
“I don’t want to travel, not even by car,” said Madeline Bobbin, of Mandeville, La. “There’s too much uncertainty out there.”
Countered Jennifer Seimssen, 26, of New Orleans: “I’m not going to just stay home. It’s one of the best party times of the year.
Those who do head out will notice changes.
The traditional early morning race for the best lawn seats for celebrations along Boston’s Esplanade won’t take place this year because of tighter security.
In New York, heavily armed anti-terrorism teams will be deployed, while National Guard troops will monitor bridges and tunnels.
In California, all 30 highway patrol aircraft will be watching from the skies.
Arab-American groups said their members were deeply concerned about how they will be perceived this holiday, since the Sept. 11 hijackers were primarily from Arab nations.
Many plan to stay home.
“They don’t want to be targets because of their ethnicity or background,” said Ra’id Faraj, a spokesman for the Council on Islamic-American Relations of Southern California.
Amid the caution, Americans appear determined to show their colors as forcefully as ever. Polls in New York and Minnesota found most residents there aren’t changing holiday plans.
“I would think people would be inclined to celebrate more this year just to show their pride, to show their patriotism,” said Jason Brandon, 27, of Winchester, Tenn., after buying $80 worth of fireworks he planned to set off in his yard and driveway.
Retailers reported brisk fireworks sales, crediting resurgent patriotism and new laws. George Zambelli Sr., president of New Castle, Pa.-based Zambelli Fireworks, said patriotic colors are in this year.
“The fireworks are choreographed to music, and the music is much more patriotic than in recent years,” he said.
“That means fewer greens and yellow, more reds, whites and blues.”
Federal officials say they know of no specific terrorist threat against July 4th celebrations, but the country remains at the “yellow” or mid-level alert.
A White House coordination center has set up communications lines with officials at each of nearly 2,100 major celebrations nationwide, and combat air patrols will fly over several cities.
President Bush said citizens “ought to be joyous in their celebration and celebrate the fact that we’re fortunate enough to be Americans.” He planned to honor veterans in Ripley, W.Va., before returning for celebrations in Washington that are expected to draw a half million people.
Washington will have all 3,600 police officers on the street, as well as 500 Capitol police.
In Milwaukee, there will be security cameras and random pat-downs to monitor the 100,000 people expected.
And in Seattle, which the local head of the FBI recently warned may be an “easy target” due to low law enforcement staff levels, more than 500 officers are on duty.
At Mount Rushmore, where 25,000 people are expected, officials erected temporary fencing and closed airspace around the monument to presidents. The FAA also established no-fly zones over the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
The Mount Rushmore celebrations won’t include fireworks because of wildfires 40 miles away.
In New York, where 2,823 people died in the Sept. 11 attack, organizers planned a pause midway through the annual Macy’s fireworks display, with the music falling silent and the sky clearing as a 44-foot Liberty Bell of lights chimes 11 times and searchlights flood the sky.
Celebrating the holiday is “the best way to stick it to the terrorists,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said this week.
“It will show them that we are not afraid and that they have not succeeded.”