How do people in Connecticut feel about this Fourth of July? We asked

The Office of Gov. Ned Lamont offered a cheery post on Facebook Friday listing fireworks displays around Connecticut in honor of the Fourth of July. But the lighthearted “Don’t miss out!” was met with a stream of dark replies: “Boycott 4th of July until rights are restored,” “Nothing to celebrate this year,” and the apocalyptic “It feels like when my great-grandma turned 90. We would get the family together just in case it was her last one.”

The comments, followed by a sprinkling of Second Amendment and states’ rights-themed replies, echo a storm of anger this Independence Day following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and ending federal protection for abortion rights. Across social media platforms the meme, “Fourth of July has been canceled due to a shortage of Independence,” in various forms has spread, mostly among white women grieving the sudden loss of rights held for 50 years.

As the United States of America celebrates its 246th birthday and continues the process to realize a more perfect union, activists, elected officials and residents across Connecticut hold nuanced and diverse opinions on the subject. Asked by The Courant, ‘How do you feel about your country this Fourth of July,’ here’s what they said:

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont:

“We’re not just a nation of borders. We’re a nation of ideals: life, liberty and equality for all. Although we haven’t always lived up to those ideals, it is our job to keep moving closer. Just look at what we’ve done right here in Connecticut: We expanded protections for women and passed laws to make our state safer and more just; we delivered tax cuts for working and middle class families, raised the minimum wage and made historic investments in underserved communities. We reaffirm on this day that all Americans are endowed with certain unalienable rights — and as your governor, I will work every day to protect those rights and ensure that every Connecticut family has the opportunity to pursue their happiness.”

Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford):

“July 4 is a day to celebrate our country, its people, our diversity and to once again honor those who have served and sacrificed to protect these founding principles. It’s a celebration of America’s exceptionalism that allows people the freedom to be who they want to be and live how they want to live.”

Bloomfield Mayor Danielle Wong:

“Independence Day is a day of recollection and of hope. We honor our founders for their bravery and commitment to freedom. The beauty about our country is we do not have to keep the circumstances we are given, and I encourage all to reflect on their circumstances during this holiday. My hope for America is living up to an ideal freedom for everybody and freedom for every body.”

Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-Avon):

“Considering that the reason we declared independence from England was so that we could have agency for ourselves, it seems strange to celebrate Independence Day now that people have lost autonomy over their own bodies after the death of Roe. Safety is referenced in the Declaration of Independence, and there is nothing less safe than risking maternal health.”

Rob Ruggiero, producing artistic director at TheaterWorks Hartford:

“In many ways it’s difficult to think about celebrating when our freedoms are being so challenged, and in some cases eradicated. It certainly casts a cloud over things in regards to feeling patriotic. I plan to approach the day as time to reflect on the now and hope for a better tomorrow.”

From state Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott):

“Despite the difficult times America is going through today, and all that we have been through since 1776, our great country still stands as the brightest beacon of freedom and opportunity for the whole world to this day.

Today, we celebrate and remember the birth of our nation and the ensuing war for American Independence. That fight for freedom and our founders’ vision of a country made up of free citizens pursuing their individual happiness is what continues to define America. These principles not only helped us realize our destiny to overcome the tyranny of 18th century English rule, but also to end slavery and acknowledge the right of women to vote. Our founding documents are why we have the freedoms we do and a quality of life unparalleled in all human history.

I often say that there is no greater blessing than to be born or to become an American citizen. Let us work together to preserve our freedom, our way of life — and our history, good and bad, and to use this knowledge to continue working toward the more perfect union we have always been meant to be. May God bless America!”

Bishop Dr. John L. Selders, Amistad United Church of Christ in Hartford and Moral Monday CT:

“My feeling is much like the feeling of my ancestor, Frederick Douglass, who posed the question 30 or 40 years ago: What is July 4th to the Negro? In his famous speech, he begins to ask this question, in relation to those who had been and who were still enslaved. July 4th occurred with a big bang, independence, liberty, justice, freedom, and yet, for many, many hundreds of thousands of millions of Black people there was no liberty, there was no freedom. So for us, that’s always been the note that July 4th was for some a representation for freedom. For me, as as we turn our attention to our current climate, the continued struggle that Black people have for access to jobs, health care and housing to what has just occurred with the Supreme Court’s decision around Roe v. Wade, it begins to make you want to ask the question again in this context: What is freedom? What is liberty? What is justice? Does July 4 hold for us the same observation that Frederick Douglass made a century ago?”

Mercy Quaye, founder and president of The Narrative Project:

“As a Black woman on the front lines of work being done to support communities on the margins, it’s hard to ever be proud of this country let alone on Independence Day. I’ve switched my freedom celebrations to Juneteenth because it’s a more accurate representation of the flaws in our American freedom. So many of us are mourning the loss of bodily autonomy, the constant judicial reinforcement of police brutality and the inability to bounce back from the pandemic. If we’re going to celebrate freedom in earnest, we need to ensure that the least of us can celebrate, too.”

CJ Thomas, Farmington Town Council chairman:

“‘Thomas Jefferson still lives.’ These were John Adams’ last words, which he mistakenly uttered July 4, 1826. Jefferson died five hours earlier, also on July 4. These two men had a long and tumultuous relationship. They were brothers in arms during the Revolution, archrivals and enemies during the early days of our nation, and friends and confidants in their later years. As we celebrate the birth of our nation with fireworks and parties, let us not forget the risk all of the Founding Fathers took. Seeking independence from England was considered an act of treason to the crown, punishable by death. Their goal was to “form a more perfect union,” something we are still working toward today. Adams and Jefferson give me hope that no matter how divided we seem to be, we can still join together on common ground.”

State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-Watertown):

“Tomorrow we celebrate what’s commonly known as the 4th of July. This holiday’s true designation is Independence Day, and is the very core of our nation. It is the day that our Founding Fathers recognized that we are all equal in the eyes of God, and possess inalienable rights that government cannot take away or infringe. It is the day that the role of our government was defined: to protect these individual rights — life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This agreement between We the People and our government is what makes the United States the greatest nation in the world. As we enjoy fireworks celebrations with friends and loved ones this weekend, let us remember the true meaning of this holiday and the men and women who have defended these ideals throughout our nation’s history.”

Kamora Herrington, founder of Kamora’s Cultural Corner:

“I’ve been confused with how to address people who are offended when I say that Fourth of July is a farce, because we don’t have freedom. Everyone doesn’t have freedom. ... We’ve got freedoms. (But) ... there are large groups of human beings who don’t have any freedom. Here we are now with large groups of Americans articulating beautifully on how the Supreme Court’s decision just removed a lot of freedom. This is important and needs to be addressed. Hey, maybe we should not celebrate freedom while this is our current reality.

There are different ideas, different touch points, different dates and different times that are important to different groups of people. For Black folks, June 19 was a very important date, and perhaps white America needs to slow their roll before the Fourth of July, start with June 19, look at everything that went into creating that wrong Independence Day, wrong day of freedom, and figure out how to make sure that when we get to (the) Fourth of July, American Independence Day, we can start really thinking about what freedom means. It means that we’re not there yet, but it’s an ideal to work toward.

America’s need for false stories around her holiday … is, I would say telling. It’s really interesting that every time we’ve got a chance to tell a complicated story, we fall on a myth that’s completely not true. There’s so many interesting pieces that go into the American Revolution that created this complicated and beautiful country that’s wrong in so many ways in practice, but right in so many ways on paper, and how do we wade through this, rather than as blind allegiance. America really wants blind allegiance.

Rocky Hill Mayor Lisa Marotta:

“This Independence Day is a timely reminder of what unites us all as Americans. We should be thankful for those liberties we too often take for granted and those who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom. To our high school graduates, congratulations and may you always remember, no matter what path you choose, you must roll up your sleeves and PURSUE your happiness. God bless America and the opportunity for a bright future.”

Jennifer Wynn, Farmington resident:

“Right-wing leaders in the U.S. have increasingly pushed an agenda that is antithetical to the ideals of independence and democracy. The past week of decisions from the Supreme Court illustrate a democracy in a crisis, and I don’t think people realize how close we are to the collapse of our institutions. How can I celebrate independence this 4th, as democracy erodes and human rights are stripped before our eyes?”

July Leon, Hartford resident:

“I am concerned for those who are vulnerable in society. I’m worried about reproductive rights for all. I’m worried about LGBT+ rights and protecting LGBT+ youth. I am worried about gun violence. I worried about the lives of Black and brown folks. I believe all these issues are intersecting and interconnected.”

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin:

I have a near-religious belief in this country and what it stands for — that we have rights that cannot be taken away, that the government’s power comes from the people and that no one is above the law.

We have a terrible original sin that still haunts us, but the American project is the best attempt in history to balance individual rights, the will of the people and the practical requirements of effective government.

That’s why serving our country in uniform overseas and in public office has given me a greater sense of fulfillment than anything I can imagine, other than my family.

And that’s why July 4th is so important. Because it’s our chance to remember that from its very first day, America aimed at liberty, human dignity and democracy. And when it feels like we’re losing our balance, we need to stand up and do everything possible to make sure we stay the course.

Michael Oretade, former president of BLM860 and state Senate candidate:

“Independence Day should be a day of celebration. But, progressively we’re seeing a country operate in ways that are a disservice to the American people, that are a disservice to individuals of color, that are a disservice to women, That are a disservice to migrants who literally put faith in the creed that this is the land of the free. Our forefathers distanced themselves from oppression and recreated the systems that uphold oppression. We can do better. I hope that people take the time to reflect this 4th of July. Progress is not the enemy.”

Sen. Henri Martin (R-Bristol):

“Today’s holiday is often referred to as the ‘4th of July,’ which neglects to acknowledge that we are actually celebrating the anniversary of our independence. This is an opportune time to remember how the birth of this country has given us certain natural rights — among them are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. This year and every year I am proud to be an American and honored to serve in the government. Looking forward, as a state and country, we need to choose to preserve our independence by reconnecting with those same American principles.”

Ilhan Braxton, a New Britain resident:

“[The government] could add more seats to the Supreme Court, but there’s no guarantee that will help things. It’s just really upsetting that the president is sending billions overseas to help another war when we’re all pleading for change here.”

Keren Prescott, founder and president of PowerUp:

“I don’t see how anyone, especially Democrats, could celebrate anything in this town that I live in and across this state. They should be working their butts off this weekend. They should not be going after folks for donations for their campaigns. They should be in the streets, knocking on doors, turning to the constituents, listening to Black and brown voices, listening to humans with uteruses. That’s what the people that I have voted into office should be doing this weekend.”

Joe Capodiferro, Farmington, state House of Representatives candidate:

“In this age of polarization and absolutism, it often feels that our nation bears little resemblance to the one we inherited. Benjamin Franklin once said that “Where liberty dwells, there is my country.” On this 4th of July my hope is that each of us will rekindle the flame of liberty that burns within each of us — understanding that while no two flames are identical, all have the ability to cast equal light. God bless the town of Farmington, the state of Connecticut and the United States of America.”

Patrick Dunn, executive director of New Haven Pride Center:

“Every day I see greater and greater challenges arising that give me fear that we are headed backward to a time where I could not exist, where people’s bodies were subject to experimentation and lack of autonomy. Every day I also see the strength and conviction of those fighting for a just and equitable future, and it gives me the strength to join the fight and keep pushing forward to prevent a future that looks too much like our past.”