ORLANDO, Fla. — A newsletter from the City of Orlando about its 4th of July celebration is sparking a wide range of comments within the city on Saturday.
What You Need To Know
- The City of Orlando issued an apology over a controversial statement made in its newsletter on Friday, stating that residents probably did not want to celebrate the 4th of July due the nation's current events
- Fraternal Order of Police Orlando Lodge #25 posted on Facebook calling the city's comments "inflammatory and in poor taste." Florida House Rep Anna V. Eskamani expressed support of the city's statement in a Twitter post
- The City of Orlando's "Fireworks at the Fountain" show at Lake Eola Park is still scheduled for July 4 from 4 - 10 p.m.
The city wrote the following in a newsletter to subscribers on Friday:
"A lot of people probably don't want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can't blame them. When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating it?"
The article continued on to promote the city's firework show at Lake Eola Park.
After the newsletter was sent, Fraternal Order of Police Orlando Lodge #25 posted on Facebook calling the city's comments "inflammatory and in poor taste."
The city released a statement to Spectrum News in response on Saturday:
"...We understand these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intent. We value the freedoms we have in this country and are thankful to the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for those...We take pride in celebrating the 4th of July to express our gratitude to those men and women and honor the country we live in."
Florida House Rep. Anna V. Eskamani weighed in on the issue and expressed support of the city in a Twitter post, stating that they did not need to apologize and that the initial newsletter captured the emotions of many Americans at this time.
Y’all do not need to apologize — your first email captured the tone of how many Americans (and Orlandoans) are feeling right now. It’s ok not to be ok.
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) July 2, 2022
The City of Orlando's "Fireworks at the Fountain" show at Lake Eola Park is still scheduled for July 4 from 4 - 10 p.m.