For the past few weeks, fireworks have been set off every night throughout the country like clockwork and disrupting people’s sleep.
In cities like Boston and New York, complaints of fireworks have increased at an alarming rate. Last year, Boston recorded 22 fireworks complaints in the first week of June. Now, in the same week a year later, 1,445 complaints were recorded. In New York, the amount of complaints received by the city at night became so demanding that a complaint could only be filed online.
The uncertainty behind who is setting off the fireworks is unsettling, and it has allowed idle minds to grow anxious. Many have turned to Twitter to contribute their own theories on the sudden increase in fireworks.
In a thread that went viral, Robert Jones, Sr., (@SonofBaldwin) of Brooklyn, New York, said he believed the intention behind the fireworks to be either:
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A government attack on Black and Brown communities meant to disrupt the reemergence of the #BlackLivesMatter Movement;
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A means to desensitize the public as the fireworks have frequently been mistaken for gunshots. Ultimately, so that if and when artillery is used on the people, the public will not be prepared;
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“Psychological warfare” intended to wear down Black and Brown communities, invoke tension, and discourage revolution.
Reporting from Brooklyn, there was yet another night of extremely loud fireworks starting at 8 pm. and ending at about 2 a.m. This is the second week straight of this; every night during the same time period, like clockwork.
— Son of Baldwin (Robert Jones, Jr.) (@SonofBaldwin) June 20, 2020
Others, like Boston Mayor Walsh, simply equated the increase of pyrotechnics to be the result of quarantine-induced boredom. Regardless of the true reasons, it is difficult to ignore the timing of the fireworks with the protests that have been occurring every day for the past month. As a result, people have voiced their fears around calling the police.
We think this because there is NO WAY IN THE WORLD that young Black and Brown people would otherwise have access to these PROFESSIONAL fireworks. These are Macy’s July 4th/New Year’s-level displays and sonic booms reserved generally for the wealthiest people and institutions.
— Son of Baldwin (Robert Jones, Jr.) (@SonofBaldwin) June 20, 2020
Also… Don’t start calling the police because of them. I said I’m not going full conspiracy, but I do believe they’ll be using fireworks as an excuse to come into our communities at night. An M80 goes off and they scary bitches got reason to fear for their lives.
— GooglerInChief (@R0zzyB0wden) June 20, 2020
Police and fire PROTECTING the people lighting fireworks!
This is NOT NORMAL! pic.twitter.com/dXnC7M5jeb— Mendel Blizinsky (@BlizM9) June 21, 2020
On June 14, people participated in setting up fireworks in Flatbush; hours later, police arrived at the scene in riot gear. To handle the situation, officers closed the street and arrested one person. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio endorsed this additional policing on Tuesday morning, when he announced the establishment of the city’s new illegal fireworks task, consisting of over 40 law enforcement officers.
In West Harlem, 3am. NYPD putting on a show with fireworks in the background. @NYGovCuomo this is what they are paid for huh? pic.twitter.com/KKOhH5xyBl
— Jeo (@fromzerotojeo) June 22, 2020
This is a method of noise torture. Couple that with fireworks sounding like bombs and AR-15’s at 3:00 am and you’re creating a climate of sleep deprivation.
Not to mention folks possibly suffering from PTSD (Police Terrorism Stress Disorder)…and they’re being PAID TO DO IT. https://t.co/UZE5Rb6IIl— L E F T, PhD ⚫️ (@LeftSentThis) June 22, 2020
