Most Americans celebrate Independence Day at the beach, at a picnic, or at the mall.
But about 200 people showed up at the Torch of Friendship in downtown Miami to protest against the direction of this nation.
“We’re out here on the Fourth of July to do what patriots in this country have always done, which is to try to bring us closer to the American ideals,” said Martin Vidal, one of the organizers of the event.
“Protesting is the best way to celebrate the real United States of America,” added Jordan Levin, another organizer.
“This is what patriotism looks like,” said one man who wanted to remain anonymous. “Because we love this country, and it’s being destroyed from the inside.”
The demonstrators had a full agenda of issues, with immigration enforcement and the opening of the so-called Alligator Alcatraz detention center at the top of the list.
“We’re seeing on the streets of America something that’s very un-American, you got groups of masked men going around taking people without warrants, not giving them due process, not identifying themselves,” Vidal said.
Navy veteran Phil Ehr said the Trump Administration is taking Russia’s side in its unprovoked war of aggression with Ukraine, a democratic ally.
“By not supporting Ukraine, we are betraying the gravestones and the lives and the sacrifices of World War Two, Ehr said.
Many of the demonstrators carried signs that read “No Kings” and other messages alleging that Constitutional checks and balances are disappearing.
“I’m not going to go out and mindlessly celebrate the evolution of our country into an authoritarian and repressive place, which is what I see happening right now,” Levin said.
The anti-Trump demonstration was interrupted when infamous Trump supporter Enrique Tarrio crashed the scene, wearing an inflatable chicken suit. Tarrio is a far-right provocateur, convicted for his role in the Capitol insurrection of 2021 but pardoned by Trump.
“I’m here for no kings, I’m for that, we don’t have kings in the United States, we haven’t had kings for 250 years, and today, the Fourth of July proves that,” Tarrio said.
Former Trump supporter Jessica Denson addressed the gathering and pointed at Tarrio, mentioning the pardon he received as a reason to impeach the president again.
“He committed the gravest act of treason by pardoning several individuals convicted of seditious conspiracy, along with this clown and all of his friends,” she said, gesturing at Tarrio.
Of course, Tarrio intended to create a scene and he did, but Miami Police officers made sure everything remained peaceful and everyone was able to exercise their First Amendment rights.
Just as our founding fathers intended.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
