The Brief: A rise in the number of fireworks reportedly being set off across the United States has sparked a surge of conspiracy theories and memes about the source of these pyrotechnics.

Bluesquiggle
DEEP DIVE

In late June 2020, fireworks conspiracy theory memes started trending as a reflection of dramatic increases in the number of fireworks going off across the United States. While conspiracy theories that police are planting fireworks in Black and Brown neighborhoods are not backed by hard evidence, they’ve resonated with thousands of people online.

Whatever the cause of this increase in pyrotechnics may be, fireworks memes are one way people are venting about being disrupted by explosions throughout the night.

A wrong turn meme:

A Pepe Silvia meme:

Me explaining:

For those who cite patriotism as their reason for setting off explosives:

A very dangerous drinking game: