Brigham Tomco, Special to the Daily Herald
“I think it’s a day Americans commemorate their financial independence from England. The United States is a worldwide empire that has done a lot of good and a lot of horrible things. So I feel simultaneously proud and horrified by what we represent in our international policy. I think most Americans want to do the right thing but our nation, generally, does not and that breaks my heart.” — Morgan Gibbons, Provo
“Just freedom in general, man, like what this country stands for — just the freedom that we have here. I’m a foreigner, I’m originally from Peru, and I just think this is a blessed land.” — Piero Valdizan, Provo
“Independence Day, to me, means having the right of agency, especially in a state — in a country — like this, agency to our bodies, agency to our careers, to our music, to our food, to our self expression, to healthcare, to everything. Agency to choose what you want without any sort of fear or judgment or ostracization. I believe that a lot of people are condemned for what comes naturally to them. I believe a lot of people are restricted, and limited, and silenced, and almost swept under the rug by the majority of what’s considered normal in this country.” — Natalie Rapier, Provo
“Freedom. Because you can do what you want. You don’t have somebody bossing you around. I’d rather be here than in some communist country because we’re free here.” — Glenda Christensen, Provo
“Probably just celebrating our most basic right as Americans, and that is our freedom. A lot of freedom compared to a lot of different countries. So I think that that is a blessing, being able to take part in that, being able to speak openly about politics, speak openly about pretty much whatever you want, and to do whatever you want, within the law obviously.” — Andrew Gibbons, Provo
Brigham Tomco, Special to the Daily Herald
Photos and interviews by Brigham Tomco, Special to the Daily Herald.
Have a suggestion for a question you’d like us to ask? Send it to [email protected].
Natalie Rapier
Glenda Christensen
Andrew Gibbons
Newsletter
Join thousands already receiving our daily newsletter.
Copyright © Daily Herald | www.heraldextra.com | 1200 Towne Center Blvd. STE 1058, Provo, UT 84601
Comments are closed.