LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - M
LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
Aonday, July 8 2002 - 3
Fourth of
July carries
concerned
undertones
By Hiba Walib
Daily Staff Reporter
WASHINGTON D.C-- Unlike
every other year, the first Fourth of
July celebrations after the Sept. I l
attacks carried with it a slight under-
tone of fear and a solemn revival of
patriotism, in addition to the large
number of entertaining activities
going on.
While family festivities such as
the National Independence Day
Parade, Smithsonian Folklife Festi-
val and the reading of the Declara-
tion of Independence at Union
Station livened Washington, D.C.,
early Thursday, a tinge of uncertain-
ty was in the back of many DC resi-
dents' minds as they prepared to
celebrate their nation's birthday
while concerned with a potential ter-
rorist attack.
Michelle Reaves, a security offi-
cer at the Common Wealth Building
located near the White House, said
Wednesday that she was not plan-
ning on attending the city's celebra-
tions, not out of the fear of
terrorism, but because it would be
"too hectic, too many people."
"There have been a lot of rumors
and stuff, but its just rumors. It's
nothing definite. A lot of other cities
have been targeted as well or so-
called targeted," she said. But she
added that DC might be more open
to threats. "I guess maybe because
Bush is here, that's why it's so much
of a target," she said.
Carmen Whonder, a philanthropist
working in Virginia near the DC bor-
der, echoed Reaves' comments of
uncertainty and also acknowledged
that there is a possibility of an attack.
"I think everyone's thinking
about it but may not be acknowledg-
ing it - or consciously considering
it as part of their planning process,"
she said.
Whonder expressed appreciation
for the stringent security efforts, but
also feared that the efforts would
interfere in the festivities. "(Security
efforts) are fine, it's their job. If they
don't do it and something does hap-
pen, then people are going to com-
plain. It's better to be safe than
sorry," she said."However, (security)
is fine as long as it's done in a way
that people still enjoy themselves. I
think also that people can go a little
over board."
Raka Huq, a DC intern and Prince-
ton senior, said she would normally
have loved to partake in the festivities
especially because it was in the
nation's capital, but chose not to
Peace oat makes
debut z Aparade
By Chris Grub
Fae thr Daily
For some Ann Arbor residents, the 12th annual Ann Arbor
Jaycees Fourth of July Parade was a chance to show not just
what Americans already appreciate about their country, but
what everybody, regardless of nationality, should enjoy in the
future: A world united.
The parade began at 10 a.m. Thursday on East William
Street heading east and continued down State Street before
turning onto East Liberty Street and finally south on Main
Street. With 85 groups represented - including the American
Red Cross, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Women in Black, the
Ann Arbor City Council and several radio stations - this
year's parade was the largest in its 12 year history.
Ann Arbor Jaycees spokeswoman Jessica Sysak said she
noticed more community involvement and a more patriotic
feeling than in previous years. She added that she was excited
by the community's rising participation and was glad to see a
variety of groups turn out for the parade.
"It's great to get a lot of groups to participate to represent
the community" Sysak said.
In what members said was a move to encourage people to
think beyond America, the Ann Arbor Ad Hoc Committee for
Peace unveiled their "One World United For Peace Float" at
the parade. The float consisted of a broken nose of an out-of-
commission missile with flowers sticking out, a six-foot diam-
eter Earth, numerous flags from other nations and a person
dressed as the Statue of Liberty.
Phillis Engelbert, an Ad Hoc committee member, said the
purpose of the float was "to put forward a positive message on
Independence Day of Americans working for peace." The float
was one of the parade's finales, designed to follow the day's
theme of"United We Stand"
Mary Beian, of the Ad Hoc Committee, said that between
15 and 20 people helped with the design and creation of the
peace float. During the parade, about 50 people walked with
the float distributing leaflets, drumming and handing out
chocolate Earthballs. About 2,500 leaflets promoting liberty
and peace as cherished American traditions were distributed.
The leaflets also offered several "peaceful alternatives to
expanding the war on terrorism."
"We speak to a real wish amongst many people who aren't
being represented in calling for a peaceful resolution to Sep-
tember I1I," Bejian said, adding that she believed the parade's
crowd supported the group's peace-seeking message. "Occa-
sionally we would call out to the crowd, and people always
clapped and cheered."
Engelbert said that the crowd's reaction to the float was
overwhelmingly positive and that about 15 people from the
crowd even joined the procession. "What the public's response
showed me was that people have a desire for peace" she said.
"I'd like to believe that a peaceful world is possible."
because of potential security concerns.
"Under normal circumstances, I
would not have passed this opportu-
nity up," she said. "Although I didn't
really think, deep in my heart, that
anything would happen, I decided to
stay on the safe side and just watch
the fireworks on TV."
In his July 4. speech in Ripley,
W.Va., President Bush told Ameri-
cans that they should not be afraid of
terrorism and that they should take
pride in their country.
"In this 226th year of our inde-
pendence, we have seen that Ameri-
can patriotism is still a living faith.
We love our country; only more
when she's threatened," President
Bush said.
President Bush spent much of his
speech thanking those who have
fought, or are fighting. for the coun-
try's independence.
"Americans know that our country
did not come about by chance. Our
nation was first designed as a
colony, serving an empire and
answering to a king. The founders
had other things in mind. In the
summer of 1776, they declared that
these colonies are and, of right,
ought to be free and independent
states," President Bush said.
"With a great army massed
against the Americans, these were
not idle words. 'Stepping forward to
sign the Declaration,' said Dr. Ben-
jamin Rush, 'was like signing your
own death warrant.' Yet he and 55
others put their name on the docu-
ment, pledging to the cause their
lives, their fortunes, and their
sacred honor."
TOP: Ann Arbor pre-schoolers Maya Burris and Haydin Pitts
ride in their Stone School Nursery Fourth of July Buggy in the
12th annual Ann Arbor Jaycees Fourth of July Parade. ABOVE:
President Bush addresses the crowd gathered for his
Independence Day address in Ripley, W.Va.
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