A firefighter in Eureka, Calif., has filed a grievance with the Joint Powers Authority, the governing body of the Humboldt Bay Fire, after he was forced remove a ‘Black Lives Matter’ pin from his uniform shirt.
Matt McFarland is a second-generation firefighter, and he told KRCR that he been wearing the pin since November of 2016 until he was ordered by Chief Bill Gillespie to remove it in March.
According to Humboldt Bay Fire’s uniform policy, one pin that is fire service related and in good taste may be worn.
McFarland said his pin meets that standard.
“My pin is without a doubt related to my service as a firefighter because recent political events have created an environment of heightened fear and anxiety among communities of color, and increased distrust of law enforcement. This sentiment is highly detrimental to our ability, as emergency responders, to do our jobs well,” McFarland said.
McFarland’s attorney said in a statement that banning the pin creates a “significant liability” for the department because “it constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.”
A public hearing on the grievance will take place on Wednesday morning at Eureka City Hall.
McFarland plans to have a press conference directly before the hearing.
Read more at KRCR.
