LOS ANGELES (AP) — Surveys suggest a decline in national pride amongst Americans, especially among Democrats during Trump’s presidency. This has led some to reconsider whether to celebrate Independence Day this year.
However, Scott Allen, a Democrat residing in southern California, is not among those reconsidering. He intended to mark the nation’s 249th anniversary by gathering with a diverse political group of neighbors for a barbecue and fireworks display.
He’ll be thinking of his U.S. Marine father, and about how proud he is that “we have the freedom to do all the things we do.”
“We can have protests. We can have free speech,” said Allen, 60, who lives in Lakewood, just south of Los Angeles.
For many Americans, this Independence Day might feel different. Across the nation, protests are scheduled against Trump’s policies, and in areas like southern California, where immigration raids have caused unrest, certain July Fourth events have been called off.
Fireworks retailers are also dealing with tariffs. But at the same time, holiday travel is expected to break records.
Here’s what to know about July Fourth this year:
California celebrations cancelled
Several communities in the Los Angeles area have cancelled Independence Day festivities due to safety concerns over Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
The raids have triggered weeks of protests across the city and led Trump to deploy National Guard troops and Marines.
The Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno cancelled its parade after 90% of participants dropped out.
Organizer Genny Guerrero said the majority Latino community is “very patriotic.” But many people are avoiding events out of fear of immigration agents.
“The fact that they’re taking anyone that is brown, regardless of citizenship, that puts everyone in jeopardy,” Guerrero said.
A downtown block party, which drew 20,000 people last year, was postponed. Suburbs in southeastern Los Angeles, such as Bell Gardens, have cancelled celebrations altogether.
Events planned in protest
Meanwhile, Independence Day events are scheduled in protest of Trump’s policies, including slashes to Medicaid, said Tamika Middleton, managing director of Women’s March.
The group had organized the Women’s March on Washington in 2017, the day after Trump’s first inauguration. This year’s events will range from low-key pot lucks to rallies in large cities.
For instance, a gathering will be held at a naturalization ceremony in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to show support for new citizens. But there will be larger protests in bigger cities, including one outside Houston’s City Hall.
“We’re inviting folks to envision what a truly free America looks like,” Middleton said.
Tariffs and fireworks
The vast majority of fireworks in the U.S. are made in China, said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association.
As the trade war with China escalated, tariffs on Chinese-made fireworks reached 145% in April, Heckman said. Trump issued a 90-day pause in May, leaving current tariffs on Chinese fireworks at 30%.
The tariffs will have little impact on city fireworks shows because the shells were purchased months ago, Heckman said. She’s hearing from retailers who sell the backyard fireworks that they’re not passing on the 30% tariffs to consumers.
But it’ll be a different story next year, Heckman said, because 30% tariffs — or anything higher — are not sustainable for business. The industry is casting a wary eye toward 2026.
“Every small town in America is going to want a special firework display to honor America’s 250th,” Heckman said.
Record-breaking holiday travel
Auto club AAA expected more than 72 million people to travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) from home. AAA’s forecast includes two weekends to better reflect the holiday travel.
Nearly 62 million people will travel by car, a 2.2% bump over 2024, making it the highest volume on record, AAA said. Drivers have seen some price increases at the pump, but summer gas prices are still the lowest they’ve been since 2021.
Meanwhile, nearly six million people will fly — 4% more than last year, AAA said. The Federal Aviation Administration said this will be the busiest July Fourth week in 15 years.
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Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia.
