NEW YORK — New York City officials have suspended nine firefighters without pay in connection with a string of racist messages and memes they shared on their phones, including ones that mocked the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year, according to a published report.
A spokesperson called the suspensions the most severe punishments ever handed down in the history of the Fire Department of the City of New York, The New York TimesAfter looking into complaints by several Black firefighters, the department suspended the nine firefighters without pay for periods ranging from a few days to six months, Fire Department Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.
One of the firefighters is expected to leave the agency after his suspension ends, Nigro said. In addition, three fire department officers were reprimanded.In the messages and memes last April, white firefighters mocked Floyd's dying moments with Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin's knee on his neck, the Times reported.
Black firefighters told the Times they believed the suspensions fell far short of addressing what they consider deep-rooted problems in the department, where leaders have acknowledged that racism, sexism and harassment have been tolerated. Nigro said the department has embraced diversity initiatives and welcomed historically diverse classes into the academy in recent years.
shaunking I don't understand how people you think so little of are on your mind SO much lol. Racism will never make sense to me
shaunking Are we not surprised 🤣🤦🏾♂️
Good, they should be fired and find a different job
👏👏👏 Keep weeding them out.
Sums it up perfectly. Rescue me
Good. Also glad not fired yet. Everyone should have a chance to learn and grow.
No surprise here
Good!
Our racist heroes
Suspended, hell they need to be fired. You think suspension will change their deep rooted mind set. It won't. They'll just hide it better.
Almost had to beat the bricks off one for being a racist PoC. You wouldA thought he had a gun or atleast taser the way he was talking to me during an interaction while getting my mother medical attention.
I am so grateful and proud that I am a black man…something those 9 firefighters wish they could stake, main reason they’re envious and bitter, so they hate what they’ll never be and develop fragile egos.
PattyArquette Suspended from between a few days to 6 months without pay is THE most severe punishment ever meted out by FDNY ? They were caught w this shit on their phones!! FIRE THESE FIREFIGHTERS IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Only 9?
are we surprised in any profession with a majority of white men in it?
They should have freedom to send whatever nessages to friends they want, wtf is this?
bUt iT's A pOsT RaCiAL sOCieTy!!!
Why do these people need racism so bad? Enjoy unemployment, but they probably don't qualify for unemployment checks.
But... Aren't we all the human race?
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