The Fourth of July fireworks exhibition, hailed by Donald Trump as the ‘largest in history,’ may be in violation of Washington DC law.
Today marks the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding, and Trump has named his celebration initiative ‘Freedom250’.
For this event, Trump has enlisted the services of Pyrotecnico, a Pennsylvania-based company. According to France24, approximately 850,000 fireworks shells will be set off at ten locations near the Lincoln Memorial and Potomac River.
The substantial number of fireworks has raised concerns, including those voiced by Russell Dickerson, a professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of Maryland. He expressed to AFP: “In my professional opinion, it’s probably ill-advised to try to set off 850,000 fireworks… on a hot, stagnant, already polluted day. I’m not going down to the Mall and I certainly would not bring my grandchildren there.”
One particular aspect of the fireworks display might render it illegal in Washington DC.
This involves both its scale and the timing of the event.
Washington DC is governed by the Council of the District of Columbia, which carries some authority similar to city or regional governments in other U.S. territories.
The governing rules come from the Code of the District of Columbia, which under ‘disorderly conduct’ includes various actions like ‘loud, threatening, or abusive language’ and public urination.
The relevant part in this case is section D, which addresses making loud noise during nighttime.
The section states: “It is unlawful for a person to make an unreasonably loud noise between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that is likely to annoy or disturb one or more other persons in their residences.”
The fireworks event is planned to start at 10:30 pm and last for 40 minutes, which is about twice as long as typical displays.
In discussing the event, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned to Fox News’ Peter Doocy: “I think they’re gonna hear it no matter what. The whole city is going to hear it.”
Since the launch time is post the 10 pm noise curfew specified in the code, Leavitt’s statement that ‘the whole city is going to hear it’ implies it may be ‘unreasonably loud’ and ‘likely to annoy or disturb one or more other persons in their residences’.
What could be the consequences if this display breaches the regulations?
Section H of the rules specifies: “A person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both.”
UNILAD has reached out to the White House and Pyrotecnico for their comments.