NC senators want to allow July 4 fireworks, parades – even if governor says no

State senators want to make sure fireworks and parades will be allowed on July 4, regardless of what coronavirus safety restrictions Gov. Roy Cooper establishes for next month.

The NC Senate approved proposed legislation Friday that would ban Cooper from issuing any executive orders that prohibit parades or fireworks displays held on July 4. And it would prevent counties, cities and towns from banning any privately held parades or fireworks displays scheduled for Independence Day.

Raleigh and many other Triangle towns have already canceled Fourth of July festivals and fireworks displays.

Sen. Warren Daniel, a Burke County Republican, said many communities have been canceling Fourth of July events because they’re unsure what restrictions will be in place next month. Current coronavirus restrictions ban outdoor gatherings of more than 25 people, and while that order expires on June 26, Cooper hasn’t yet announced what rules will be in effect after that.

“If we’re going to allow parades to protest what people are unhappy about in our country, we ought to allow parades to celebrate what people love about this country,” Daniel said in a committee meeting Thursday, referring to recent Black Lives Matter protests and marches against police brutality.

Sen. Jim Burgin, a Harnett County Republican who presented the new version of House Bill 686 on Thursday, said he thinks the events can be held safely.

“Folks, I trust the people of North Carolina,” he said. “These events are outside, people can social distance. We’ve got to get back to our traditions that make this country great.”

While Democrats have opposed other measures to overturn Cooper’s executive orders, there were no audible “no” votes during a voice vote in the committee Thursday.

Cooper hasn’t said if he objects to the legislation. “The Governor and health experts continue to have concerns about the spread of the virus in mass gatherings and he will review this legislation,” his spokesperson, Dory MacMillan, told the NC Insider in an email.

This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 6:59 PM.