Celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Madonna have protested against Independence Day in the wake of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade and another mass shooting.
The 4th of July celebrations were also marred by a shooting during a parade in Highland Park, which killed six people.
Celebrities took to Instagram and Twitter to share how they feel about the national holiday, amid the feeling of disillusionment and division in the country.
Kim Kardashian shared an Instagram infographic from Anita Elizabeth Bitton that said: “4th of July has been cancelled due to a shortage of Independence. Sincerely, Women.”
Firework singer Katy Perry posted on Twitter “‘Baby you’re a firework’ is a 10 but women in the US have fewer rights than an actual sparkler smh”
“Baby you’re a firework” is a 10 but women in the US have fewer rights than an actual sparkler smh
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 4, 2022
Actress Jessica Chastain said “Happy ‘Independence’ Day from me and my reproductive rights” and shared a photo of herself sticking up her middle fingers. Her tweet received more than half a million likes.
Happy “Independence” Day from me and my reproductive rights. pic.twitter.com/GoIuu4JhAq
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) July 4, 2022
Finneas, music producer and Billie Eilish’s brother, said “4th of July is my favourite day of the year. Not sure if there’s anything worth celebrating this year though.”
4th of July is my favorite day of the year. Not sure if there’s anything worth celebrating this year though.
— FINNEAS☮️ (@finneas) July 4, 2022
Madonna shared a video of a woman being dragged by armed guards and said: “This is what life looks like if you’re a woman in America… It’s not Independence Day for us. Let’s start a revolution!”
Poet Amanda Gorman shared a poem that parodied the US national anthem.
She said: “O say can we see, by the Gone’s early flight, What so loudly we failed at the mornlight’s past gleaming,
“Whose flawed stripes and strifed scars, through the perilous plight, Our wan hearts, we watched, stirred and valiantly screaming.
“And the rifle’s dread glare, bullets bursting in air,Gave truth in our sight that our flag was not spared.“O say does that scar-mangled banner yet save Our land of the free and the home of the brave?”
(2/2) And the rifle’s dread glare, bullets bursting in air,
— Amanda Gorman (@TheAmandaGorman) July 5, 2022
Gave truth in our sight that our flag was not spared.
O say does that scar-mangled banner yet save
Our land of the free and the home of the brave?
Phoebe Bridgers shared to her story an Instagram post from Illuminative, a Native woman-led justice organisation, that read “5 indigenous movements to support instead of celebrating Independence Day.”
The caption read “‘Independence Day’ in the United States perpetuates myths of American exceptionalism, Manifest Destiny, and white supremacy. These myths have been used to justify land theft, genocide, and violence against Native people.
“This farce of July, learn about five Indigenous movements you can support instead.”
