Celebrities decry Independence Day revelry amid gun and abortion controversies
Actress Rachel Brosnahan said she felt ‘sick to my stomach’ following a mass shooting in her hometown of Highland Park.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kim Kardashian, Jessica Chastain and Amanda Gorman are among the famous faces expressing concern at US Independence Day celebrations amid recent mass shooting and abortion rights controversies.
In Chicago at least six people were killed and dozens more were injured at a July 4 parade and reports of an active gunman were also reported in Philadelphia.
Sharing a new poem parodying the words to the US national anthem, Gorman, the poet who shot to fame following her performance at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, wrote on Twitter: “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?”
Actress Rachel Brosnahan, who hails from Chicago’s Highland Park said she felt “sick to my stomach” following news of the mass shooting in her hometown.
It followed similiar incidents in the past few months across the country, including in New York’s Buffalo, in Tulsa,Oklahoma, and in Uvalde in Texas.
There has also been significant backlash to the US Supreme Court’s decision to end the country’s constitutional right to abortion by overturning the historic Roe v Wade judgement.
Kardashian reshared a post to her Instagram story which read: “4th of July has been cancelled due to a shortage of Independence. Sincerely, Women” and added a pointed-hand emoji to emphasise the statement.
Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain also tweeted sarcastically, posting a picture of herself with her middle fingers up.
“Happy ‘Independence’ Day from me and my reproductive rights,” she wrote.
Perry, who released the hit pop song Firework in 2010, wrote on Twitter: “‘Baby you’re a firework’ is a 10 but women in the US have fewer rights than an actual sparkler smh.”
Sharing a sinister black and white video featuring a woman being dragged by armed guards, Madonna called for “a revolution”.
“This is what life looks like if you’re a woman in America,” she wrote.
“It’s not Independence Day For Us. Let’s start A Revolution!”
Oscar-winning artist and producer Finneas, the brother of Billie Eilish, wrote: “4th of July is my favourite day of the year.
“Not sure if there’s anything worth celebrating this year though.”
A host of celebrities have condemned the reversal of the landmark 1973 ruling including Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Lily Allen.
During the recent Glastonbury Festival in Somerset, a number of artists criticised the decision including Phoebe Bridgers, Lorde and closing headliner Kendrick Lamar.