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 there’s been a drop in national pride among Americans, particularly Democrats in the Trump era, with some questioning whether to celebrate July Fourth at all this year.

But Scott Allen, a registered Democrat in Southern California, isn't one of them. He planned to commemorate the nation's 249th birthday with a politically mixed group of neighbors who will grill out and light off fireworks.

He’ll be thinking of his U.S. Marine father, and about how proud he is that “we have the freedom to do all the things we do.”

“We can have protests. We can have free speech,” said Allen, 60, who lives in Lakewood, just south of Los Angeles.

This Independence Day may feel different for many Americans. Around the country, there are protests planned against Trump's polices, and in places like Southern California, where 

immigration raids have rattled communities

, some July Fourth celebrations were canceled.

Fireworks retailers are also dealing with tariffs. But at the same time, holiday travel is expected to break records.

Here’s what to know about July Fourth this year:

Several communities in the Los Angeles area have canceled Independence Day festivities due to safety concerns over Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

The Los Angeles neighborhood of El Sereno canceled its parade after 90 percent of participants dropped out.

Organizer Genny Guerrero said the majority Latino community is “very patriotic.” But many people are avoiding events out of fear of immigration agents.

“The fact that they’re taking anyone that is brown, regardless of citizenship, that puts everyone in jeopardy,” Guerrero said.

A downtown block party, which drew 20,000 people last year, was postponed. Suburbs in southeastern Los Angeles, such as Bell Gardens, have canceled celebrations altogether.

Meanwhile, Independence Day events are scheduled in protest of Trump’s policies, including 

, said Tamika Middleton, managing director of Women’s March.

The group had organized the Women’s March on Washington in 2017, the day after 

. This year's events will range from low-key pot lucks to rallies in large cities.

For instance, a gathering will be held at a naturalization ceremony in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to show support for new citizens. But there will be larger protests in bigger cities, including one outside Houston’s City Hall.

“We’re inviting folks to envision what a truly free America looks like,” Middleton said.

The vast majority of fireworks in the U.S. 

, said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association.

As the trade war with China escalated, tariffs on Chinese-made fireworks reached 145 percent in April, Heckman said. Trump issued a 90-day pause in May, leaving current tariffs on Chinese fireworks at 30 percent.

The tariffs will have little impact on city fireworks shows because the shells were purchased months ago, Heckman said. She’s hearing from retailers who sell the backyard fireworks that they’re not passing on the 30 percent tariffs to consumers.

But it’ll be a different story next year, Heckman said, because 30 percent tariffs — or anything higher — are not sustainable for business. The industry is casting a wary eye toward 2026.

“Every small town in America is going to want a special firework display to honor America’s 250th,” Heckman said.

Auto club AAA expected more than 72 million people to travel at least 50 miles from home. AAA’s forecast includes two weekends to better reflect the holiday travel.

Nearly 62 million people will travel by car, a 2.2 percent bump over 2024, making it the highest volume on record, AAA said. Drivers have seen some price increases at the pump, but summer gas prices are still the lowest they’ve been since 2021.

Meanwhile, nearly six million people will fly — 4 percent more than last year, AAA said. The Federal Aviation Administration said this will be the busiest July Fourth week in 15 years.

Politics and Government News

The Associated Press

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People are approaching this Independence Day with mixed feelings. Polls show declining national pride, especially among Democrats, during the Trump era. In Southern California, some July Fourth celebrations have been canceled due to immigration raids and safety concerns.

How people are celebrating, protesting and traveling for July Fourth

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