Curfew in Florida, demonstrations against racism: the United States celebrated their national holiday on Saturday in a tense climate and a singular atmosphere.
Traditionally, July 4 – American Independence Day, which commemorates the proclamation in 1776 of the separation of the British crown by thirteen British colonies, which thus founded the United States of America – takes place in a friendly atmosphere, with parades, marching bands, barbecues and large fireworks. But, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is rampant in the country, the celebrations were less important than usual.
Florida case records
The United States recorded 43,742 new infections and 252 new deaths the same day, according to Johns Hopkins University. The previous three days had been marked by records of new cases, including more than 57,000 on Friday. Since the start of the epidemic, more than 2.8 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, which has caused 129,657 deaths in the United States, by far the most mourning country on the planet. US health officials admitted in late June that they had lost control of the epidemic.
The state of Florida has announced a new Covid-19 case record (11,458) for the past twenty-four hours. Given the magnitude of the health crisis, the mayor of the county of Miami-Wade, the most populous in the country with nearly 2.7 million inhabitants, on Friday decreed a curfew from 22 hours (local time) . he "Is intended to prevent people from venturing out and hanging out with friends in groups, which has been shown to be a factor in the rapid spread of the virus", explained Carlos Gimenez.
In Atlanta and Nashville, concerts or fireworks have been canceled. In the Texan city of Houston, home of the epidemic in the large southern state, July 4 is celebrated online.
Donald Trump denounces China, "the radical left", the media
Yet US President Donald Trump once again downplayed this galloping progression at a ceremony Saturday in the White House gardens. “We have made a lot of progress. Our strategy works well ”, he launched, repeating his belief that treatment or vaccine would likely be available "Well before the end of the year". Trump has also attacked China virulently, where the pandemic started from, reaffirming that it should " accountable ".
"We are defeating the radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators and the plunderers", has also launched Mr. Trump, who is seeking a second term. He had already denounced Friday evening, in a very dark speech, "Violent disorder" in the streets and "Years of extreme indoctrination in education, journalism and other cultural institutions". In the midst of a debate on the statues brought down by anti-racist demonstrators, he denounced, from the imposing monument of Mount Rushmore, "A campaign to erase our history, defame our heroes, suppress our values and indoctrinate our children".
“Our country was founded on an idea, that we are all born equal. We have never lived up to this idea ", for his part, said Joe Biden, Democratic candidate for the presidential election in November, on Saturday. Former Vice President of Barack Obama Called To Unite To Overcome "More than two hundred years of systemic racism".
