How to Fourth of July in 2025
A few ideas for the thinking American + a recipe for baked feta on a grill.
If you’re an American with a brain and a conscience, you may be wondering, “It’s a long weekend and I would like to enjoy myself but morally how can I celebrate the birthday of a country that has entered its fascism and oligarchy era?”
Well, I have a few ideas for you.
Go to a Free America event. The Women’s March has dubbed the weekend of the 4th “Free America Weekend,” encouraging people across the country to organize protests, rallies, and block parties in defense of democracy. From the Women’s March:
“Starting tomorrow, thousands of people are gathering together on porches and in parks to reclaim the radical promise of freedom.”
“No one should be subjected to authoritarians overwhelming us with policies designed to spread fear and control.”
“Your freedom. Your people. Your rebellion.”
You can find a list of nationwide events on their website.
Support our national parks. The House just passed Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which includes massive $267 million cuts to the National Park Services’ budget. Without adequate funding, parks face staff shortages, trail closures, and the loss of vital conservation programs that protect wildlife and preserve history.
Volunteer at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles. As ICE raids continue across Southern California, help protect vulnerable communities and stand in solidarity with families facing detention and deportation.
Watch (or rewatch) Civil War, Alex Garland’s chilling and disturbingly realistic take on a near-future America unraveling into chaos, where journalism becomes both witness and weapon in a fractured nation.
Watch (or rewatch) Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism, Peter Hutchison’s and Lucas Sabean’s documentary exploring “the roots, secretive propagation and deep impact of a doctrine that has played a profound role in transforming our economics, politics, environment, and even how we’ve come to view ourselves – converting us from citizens to consumers in the process.”1
Then you’ll probably want to throw up or eat something. Or maybe even go to a BBQ and share everything you’ve learned with your friends and family. So here’s a recipe for a delicious baked feta that you can make on a grill :)
Delicious Baked Feta
Ingredients:
one block of good sheep feta
olive oil
za’atar (or a combo of dried herbs like oregano, thyme, sumac, and marjoram)
cherry tomatoes
black pepper
optional: red pepper flakes or some crunchy chili onion oil like this one from Trader Joe’s
Sprinkle both sides of the feta with za’atar (or dried herbs) and black pepper. Place it on aluminum foil and drizzle it with olive oil (be generous.) If you want some spice, add a little of those red pepper flakes or crunchy chili onion oil.
Toss the cherry tomatoes in a little salt and some more olive oil, then scatter them on top of and around the feta.
Wrap the whole thing up like a little package and throw it on the grill for around 10-15 minutes until the tomatoes are roasted and the feta is melty.
(You can also bake it in the oven in a proper baking dish if you like.)
Serve with some crostini or fresh bread.
Enjoy!
And a great long weekend to those who are lucky enough to have one.
Until next time,
Tara