US celebrates Independence Day amid heightened security

Independence Day celebrations were planned today across the United States on a day that will include thousands of immigrants becoming citizens and heightened security following attempted car bombings in Britain.

In Washington, DC, security will be increased on the National Mall as organisers seek to reassure visitors.

Law enforcement agencies will flood the area with officers and high-tech security devices, US Park Police Chief Dwight Pettiford said. A police helicopter will monitor crowds from above.

As with past July 4 festivities since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the mall will be fenced off and visitors will be required to pass through security checkpoints.

Independence Day festivities in Washington include a parade on Constitution Avenue, a concert by the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the Capitol and a 20-minute fireworks show.

In New York, the Fourth of July fireworks display billed as the country’s biggest introduces a pyrotechnic novelty: exploding shells aimed at the water, not the sky.

Dry weather conditions have curtailed the use of fireworks in several areas around the country, including parts of Colorado and Washington state.

Before the fireworks begin, thousands of immigrants are expected to be sworn in as new American citizens during special ceremonies across the country.

At Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, officials plan to pronounce citizenship on 1,000 people at a “Dreams Come True” ceremony near Cinderella’s castle. Singers Gloria Estefan and Lee Greenwood are expected to make appearances.

Although July 4th citizenship ceremonies are an annual event, officials have seen a surge in applications this year as the naturalisation process has been streamlined and applicants race to beat fee increases, said Marie Sebrechts, a US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokeswoman.

There were more than 110,000 naturalisation applications filed in April, nearly double the 66,039 applications filed in April 2006, according to federal statistics.

More than 4,000 people in all are expected to take their citizenship oaths this week, the government said.