Providence Firefighter to Be Disciplined for Saluting Ferguson Protestors
A Providence firefighter who raised his fist in a possible gesture of solidarity with Ferguson protesters as they set fire to a flag will be disciplined for his actions, The Providence Journal reports.
The firefighter, whose name has not been released, appeared to raise his fist while looking out a Providence Public Safety Complex window as protestors burned an American flag outside. Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare told The Journal that the gesture from the firefighter “incited the crowd in a fashion that could have been dangerous for police officers trying to keep control.’’
“They have their first amendment right to exercise, but while they are on-duty public safety officers cannot be inciting a crowd of protesters,’’ Pare said.
Pare explained the situation further in a NECN report:
Pare said the firefighter in question did not violate any specific regulation, but rather a general code of conduct within the department.
“When you are a uniformed police officer or uniformed on-duty firefighter, you have limitations on when you can express your First Amendment rights,’’ Pare said.
In the video below, posted to RIFuture.org a week ago, protesters can be seen burning a flag outside the complex. At around the 2:30 mark, the camera pans up to show the firefighter, who holds his gesture for about 15 seconds as the crowd cheers.
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Shortly after the flag burning, whether “incited’’ by the gesture or not, the protesters moved to block traffic on Route 95.
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