Dozens Sworn In as New Citizens on Independence Mall

by KYW's Hadas Kuznits

More than two dozen new citizens were naturalized today during a very special pre-4th of July ceremony outside Independence Hall.

Philadelphia welcomed 26 new citizens from 19 countries during the outdoor ceremony.

Among them was Valentina Korol from Belarus (above left, in pink):

"I was trying to keep my tears away through the whole ceremony."

Why?

"It's just being part of the free society that's so moving."

Korol says she first came to America twelve years ago:

"I'm originally from the country that's still the last dictatorship in Europe."

And she says she will not take for granted her newfound freedoms:

"A lot of freedoms are taken for granted here.  Things like freedom of press, freedom of expression, freedom of religion.  Back home, my father-in-law is one of the editors-in-chief of the only independent newspaper in the country, and his newspaper has been shut down several times.  So we know very well what it is to be in a not free society."

(Photo by KYW's Hadas Kuznits)