A authorized submitting by a Black firefighter in western New York alleges he was pressured by a superior into going to a celebration that contained racist imagery.
In a discover of declare filed Thursday, Jerrod Jones stated the celebration occurred final month at a personal dwelling in a rich part of Rochester. He and two different firefighters attended after their captain, Jeffrey Krywy, allegedly informed them they need to all go to the celebration.
Jones, a 14-year division veteran, turned uneasy when he arrived on the home and noticed a cardboard cutout determine of former President Donald Trump, since firefighters aren't alleged to attend partisan political occasions whereas on responsibility, his lawyer, Nate McMurray, stated Thursday.
Jones stated he then noticed a show mocking the Juneteenth vacation, which celebrates the tip of slavery within the nineteenth century, with Juneteenth flags displayed over buckets of fried hen.
As well as, a lady allegedly impersonated a neighborhood Democratic official and carried out a sexually suggestive dance, and photos of Democratic politicians have been hooked up to stakes within the yard.
The incident "lower me very deeply," Jones stated at a information convention. "I made a decision to talk up right this moment as a result of I've two youngsters who possibly someday will aspire to grow to be firefighters, and I do not need them to expertise what I skilled."
Jones stated he informed superiors in regards to the incident and requested to not be assigned to work below Krywy, however was denied.
The discover of declare, which is a discover of intent to file a lawsuit, names town of Rochester and the hearth division. Jones will search at the very least $3 million for emotional misery and at the very least $1 million in compensatory damages. Jones is at present on go away and fears retaliation, McMurray stated.
E mail and telephone messages have been left with the Rochester fireplace division Thursday. In a press release, Hearth Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. referred to as the incident "unacceptable and an affront to everybody who works with the RFD and in Metropolis Corridor," and stated Krywy has been suspended, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.
An e mail message in search of remark was left with Krywy on Thursday.
Jones additionally believes he noticed a senior member of the Rochester Police Division on the celebration, CBS affiliate reported. In response, the police division launched a press release saying an inner investigation is underway including, "if any members are discovered to have been concerned in these vile allegations, acceptable disciplinary measures might be taken."
The submitting listed the handle of the celebration, which is the house of Nicholas Nicosia, a dentist and member of the board of administrators at Highland Hospital, an affiliate of the College of Rochester Medical Heart. A telephone message was left Thursday at Nicosia's workplace.
In a tweet Thursday afternoon, the hospital stated it was "appalled" on the allegations and was making an attempt to achieve Dr. Nicosia.
The firefighters union launched a press release Thursday, saying, "The Rochester Firefighters Affiliation, IAFF Native 1071 finds right this moment's allegations concerning occasions in the course of the incident of July seventh extraordinarily disturbing. Our union has zero tolerance for racist attitudes and behaviors, both on or off our jobs. We'll await the findings and particulars of a full investigation of this matter, earlier than making additional feedback or taking responsive actions."
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans says the investigation into the matter has concluded and the hearth chief might be making a willpower on the case quickly, WIVB reported.
"I am fairly distressed right this moment about this," he stated, in response to the station. "I'll let you know that I am not glad about what I've heard to date."