A Black firefighter in upstate New York says a fireplace captain introduced him and different firefighters to a racist occasion that included fried hen buckets and cognac occasion favors.
Jerrod Jones, a 14-year veteran of the Rochester Fireplace Division, is searching for $4 million in damages after Captain Jeffrey Krywy took him and three different firefighters to the non-public occasion final month throughout their shifts, the Democrat & Chronicle reported.
Jones, in a discover of declare, mentioned the hearth crew was wearing uniform once they arrived at a big dwelling in “one of many metropolis’s most prosperous communities.”
This made the firefighter really feel “instantly uneasy” as he walked as much as the home and noticed a cutout of former President Donald Trump, Jones mentioned.
He additionally mentioned he noticed two giant Juneteenth flags, KFC buckets of hen and a girl impersonating Democratic county legislator Rachel Barnhart in a “mocking however sexual” manner, in line with the declare.
Jones mentioned he noticed images of native Democratic politicians “on stakes” on the property as a fellow firefighter advised him “we shouldn’t be right here, that is bullshit.”
The firefighter, in line with the declare, was involved over racism on the occasion and recalled the hearth division’s rule barring attendance of partisan political occasions.
Jones later mentioned the occasion included occasion favors with a small cognac bottle together with a Juneteenth-themed cup.
The firefighter mentioned he remarked to different firefighters that he felt like he was within the film “Get Out.” Jones later acknowledged one occasion visitor as somebody who he believed “was a senior member” of the Rochester Police Division.
A lady who Jones believed was internet hosting the occasion later allegedly supplied him hen earlier than replying, “You certain? It’s KFC” when Jones declined it.
Jones complained to an appearing battalion chief the following day. Nonetheless, he was assigned to work alongside Krywy 4 days after his report.
Jones has since been on depart for fearing retaliation and struggling emotional misery.
“It lower me very deeply; I’m sorry I even must be right here at this time,” Jones mentioned. “However as terribly as I’m feeling, I’m glad it occurred to me and never somebody who could possibly be simply intimidated.”
Rochester Fireplace Chief Felipe Hernandez mentioned Jones’ claims had been “unacceptable and an affront to everybody who works with the [Rochester Fire Department] and in Metropolis Corridor.”
He added that an inside investigation has “completed” and Krywy continues to be suspended. Jones is hoping for an unbiased investigation into the scenario.
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