NJ July 4th Protests: Boycotts and Rallies Planned Statewide

This year, the Fourth of July is shaping up to be about a lot more than just barbecues and fireworks. Across the country, people are planning to take to the streets for what is being called the “Free America” protests. The whole idea is pretty simple. People want to speak up about what they feel is slipping away: personal freedoms, privacy, and the right to make choices without someone looking over their shoulder.

You’ll see groups popping up in big cities and small towns all over America, carrying signs, waving flags. A lot of them claim they’re tired of feeling like they have no control over what’s happening in the country, whether it’s decisions made way up in Washington or rules passed closer to home. They’re choosing Independence Day because it’s essentially the one day on the calendar that already represents freedom.

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What’s Really Driving These Protests?

It’s not just one single issue; it's a fire that's been lit under people this summer. You’ve got folks upset about taxes, rising prices, and property rights. Others are focused on things like digital privacy, wanting fewer cameras and less tracking of their lives. There’s also a decent number of small business owners who feel that new rules are piling up and making it harder to stay afloat.

Many say they just want to remind leaders that America was built on the idea of everyday people having the power, not giant corporations or the government. That’s why they’re grabbing flags, making homemade shirts, and heading out to local rallies.

Scott Lewis

Where Are the "Free America" 4th of July Protests in NJ?

If you’re planning a normal Fourth full of cookouts and sparklers, just be aware that you might bump into a protest or two, depending on where you live. Most are supposed to be peaceful. Others might get a little more fired up. Either way, it’s going to be a different kind of Independence Day in a lot of places.

Look for a gathering on July 4 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the West Caldwell Municipal Building, located on Clinton Road. In Crane Park, a group reading of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence will take place.

In Inglewood, the Free America event will take place over the entire weekend.

According to the Women's March site:

This Fourth of July, we will be in the streets with songs of freedom and joy. The dream of American freedom belongs to all of us, and we will not stop in our pursuit of its promise, now or ever.

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Watch for a protest against Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" in Mountainside. The organizing site lists the location as 1385 Route 22. It's scheduled to go off on Friday, July 4, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Trump wants his Big Bad Bill passed by July 4. Do your patriotic duty, and come out for an hour on that day to protest a piece of legislation that is the most regressive in decades. We will be having a VB event on the bridge in Mountainside to protest this retro-Robin Hood money-grubbing exercise. Bring signs! And bring your American flags!

A "No Kings - No War in Iran" demonstration is slated for Saturday, July 5, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Tesla on Route 22 in Mountainside.

Donald Trump is on the brink of taking us into another disastrous war in the middle east - we need to stop this! Just like we were told that Iraq had WMDs, today we are being told that Iran almost has nukes. The playbook is the same, as will be the costs in blood and treasure. We will be having a visibility event near the Tesla Dealership in Springfield on Route 22 - bring your signs letting people know we don't need another war.

Finally, The People's Union is urging New Jersey residents to participate in a "July 4th Silent Protest."

There are no specific gathering places; instead, the group suggests that residents refrain from displaying flags on the 4th and not attend Independence Day parades and fireworks celebrations.