The storm of fireworks in cities across the country this past week has rattled U.S. residents. With both terrified pets and residents, the mayor of New York City has even decided to launch an illegal fireworks task force. At this point, the constant display pyrotechnics has influenced a number of new fireworks conspiracies in which the government is in on the whole operation.
Both authorities and industry experts point out that this increase in firework use is likely due to the boredom or unease that many are experiencing during this time of quarantine. Of course, with July 4th just around the corner, the country has seen a huge spike in firework sales as well.
With July 4th falling on a Saturday this year, the American Pyrotechnics Association believes there will be record fireworks sales. Julie Heckman, the executive director of the organization, released a statement saying, “The APA predicts an all-time-high in backyard consumer fireworks sales as families prepare to celebrate Independence Day at home due to the pandemic and cancellation of large public celebrations”.
The firework laws have become far more lenient in the United States over the past few years, according to Slate News. Many fireworks retailers pointed out a steep rise in sales. They have also pointed out the fact that people purchased fireworks much earlier in the year compared to past years.
The Conspiracy?
Of course, the people of social media have a different theory as to why these wicked displays are lighting up the night sky. Some say that they are a part of a government psyops, targeting the BLM movement and destabilizing poor communities. Another accepted theory is that police are the ones using them.
While there are fireworks being set off in a variety of cities across the U.S., New York seems to be taking the brunt of the deal. According to the New York Post, firework complaints between June 1 and June 22 rose from 8,939 to 8,967 from 2019 to 2020.
The #FireworkTruth hashtag has been slowly spreading on Instagram, collecting theories and speculations as to how law enforcement might be involved. One of the major theories is that law enforcement is providing young people with large quantities of fireworks to scare older locals into calling the police. From there, police have reason to crack down on certain neighborhoods.
The term “boompilled” has recently surfaced on Reddit as s term describing these firework conspiracists. The term is a play on the term “redpilled”, which has been used as a descriptor for someone who dumped liberal views for right-wing views.
So far, there has not been any evidence for coordinated fireworks setoffs by law enforcement or government agencies, though a recent video surfaced of New York firefighters setting off illegal fireworks at a station in Brooklyn.
With the eruption of racial injustice and nationwide protests, believing that there is something nefarious at play with the recent firework onslaught isn’t crazy. However, many note that this simple coincidence lacks the meat to support a massive government conspiracy theory.
What do you think?
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