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CNN Live Sunday

Local Authorities on Alert for Terrorist Attacks on July 4

Aired June 30, 2002 - 18:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The July Fourth holiday is one of the nation's most popular. But in the post-September 11 climate, authorities are working overtime so the celebrations can go on as planned. CNN's Patty Davis has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Miles of fences going up on Washington's Mall to control access to the Fourth of July celebration. This Washington subway stop near the Mall scheduled to be shut down that day. The goal, to control crowds and deter terrorism.

MAYOR ANTHONY WILLIAMS, WASHINGTON, D.C.: People have to allow more time now for the July 4th activities. But it's going to be a safe event and a good event.

DAVIS: The city of Seattle is on guard this holiday as well.

MAYOR GREG NICKLES, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: We have had no specific or credible threats. But we don't take that as any kind of comfort. We know we need to be ready, and we know that vigilance is the price of freedom.

DAVIS: The FBI has warned local and state law enforcement agencies across the U.S. about the possibility of a terrorist attack on the 4th, but has stopped short of issuing an alert to the public because the threat is vague.

COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: There are some general threat indications out there, nothing that's terribly specific. And this is a time for us to be cautious and to be prudent and to keep our guard up, but also to enjoy ourselves on the 4th.

DAVIS: But a "Newsweek" poll shows a nation on edge. The majority of Americans think terrorists could strike over the Independence Day holiday. Twelve percent consider it very likely; 45 percent say somewhat likely. Despite the concerns over July 4th, the government's color-coded threat level remains at yellow, for elevated significant risk of terrorist attacks.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The administration looks constantly at the threat level, and right now we believe that everything that's being done that should be done to try and make July 4th as safe as possible.

DAVIS: The extra precautions and extra vigilance, a reality post-September 11.

(on camera): But across the nation and here in Washington, D.C., the new reality is not expected to keep hundreds of thousands of people from gathering to celebrate the nation's birthday.

Patty Davis, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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