Firefighter raises his fist during the Ferguson protest outside the Public Safety Protest. Image by Steve Ahlquist RI Future
By Sam Wroblewski 630wpro.com and the Associated Press
A Providence firefighter is facing criticism and may be disciplined for raising his fist as a sign of solidarity during the protest outside the Public Safety Complex last week.
Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare told the WPRO Morning News with Gene Valicenti discipline has been proposed for violating the Public Safety officer’s neutrality.
The night of the protest, a blogger for RIFuture.org captured video of the firefighter apparently raising his fist. Protesters saw his gesture and cheered. More than 100 later streamed onto Interstate 95 and shut it down.
“The conflict is he’s a public safety officer, like our police officers and we have to be neutral,” said Pare.
“When we have protests, when we have issues that are being debated and demonstrated in our community you have to be neutral.”
WPRI reports firefighters’ union president Paul Doughty said the investigation is complete and the department’s process “is ongoing.”
On Tuesday, the Rhode Island ACLU released a statement saying they find the investigation into the incident “troubling.”
“After all, the City has taken the legal position that firefighters can be forced to march in a Gay Pride parade against their beliefs. It’s somewhat ironic if city officials believe they can demand that firefighters participate in a demonstration of solidarity for gay rights but then punish a firefighter for quietly demonstrating support for racial justice.”
The firefighter’s name wasn’t released.
