Security concerns don't keep tourists from D.C. Fourth celebrations
WASHINGTON — Shaogang Wang watched the lively Fourth of July Parade here Monday from a distance, standing behind a chain-link fence to keep away from Constitution Avenue, packed shoulder to shoulder with throngs of people.
In the wake of recent bombings around the globe linked to the Islamic State, including three major attacks in the past week alone, Wang, 34, from New Jersey, was concerned about his safety.
"We're going to avoid going into the crowd," he said. "That's why I'm standing far away."
He wasn't the only one uneasy over terrorist threats as thousands celebrated America's independence from one of the most patriotic spots of all that's also a potential terrorist target: the National Mall.
Security concerns have been in the back of Hope Stewart's mind since she arrived in town earlier this week to celebrate her mother's 90th birthday.
“But we’re here anyway,” the 59-year-old from Australia said. “If we were too concerned, we wouldn’t have chosen to come here.”
Tens of thousands of people packed the National Mall on Monday even with rain looming in the forecast. Many hoped to catch one of the nation's largest firework displays, if the potential for severe weather holds off.
Tucked in the crowds were hundreds of police officers and security personnel, some plainclothed, as D.C. ramped up security for the events, as it does every year.
The additional police presence put Amina Jackson, 35, at ease. "I feel pretty safe,” she said after noticing several officers while walking from Constitution Avenue to the Washington Monument.
While Victor Michael Valenzuela's 23 years in the Air Force has made him vigilant about possible attacks, he felt bringing his children down to the Mall to show them a little bit about the United States' past on one of its most historic days taught a bigger lesson.
“We can’t let these people dictate how we live our lives,” said Valenzuela, 46, who lives in D.C. “This is our country and we need to live it, we need to enjoy it and we need to be proud of it.”