The city of Orlando, Fla., is apologizing for an invitation to attend its July 4 fireworks display that declared the country is now full of "so much division, hate and unrest."
"A lot of people probably don't want to celebrate our nation right now, and we can't blame them. When there is so much division, hate and unrest, why on earth would you want to have a party celebrating any of it?," reads the announcement sent last week that appears to try to be funny or sarcastic.
"But in all seriousness, you know in your heart, Fourth of July fireworks are amazing, especially when you are standing in 90° heat, 100% humidity, next to 100,000 of your closest friends," the statement continued. "In that moment, something takes over and we all become united in an inexplicable bond. Yes, America is in strife right now, but you know what ... we already bought the fireworks."
However, city officials issued an apology Saturday, amid the backlash, according to local NBC affiliate WESH-TV2.
"The city of Orlando sincerely regrets the negative impact our words have had on some in our community," the statement reads. "We understand these words offended some of our residents, which was not our intent. We value the freedoms we have in this country and are thankful to the men and women who fought and continue to fight for those."
