Black NY Firefighter Says He Was Forced To Attend Racist Party

ROCHESTER, NY — A Black firefighter plans to sue the City of Rochester and its fire department after he claims his supervisor pressured him into attending a party that mocked Juneteenth and displayed racist imagery.

Jerrod Jones, a 14-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department, filed a notice of claim last week against the city and the fire department after attending the party held in early July.

"It cut me very deeply," Jones said during a news conference held last week. "I'm sorry to even have to be here today. But in order for things to change, we have to do difficult things. And one of those difficult things is speaking up against a department that you love with everything within you."

According to the notice of claim posted by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Jones and two other colleagues were asked to attend the party by their commanding officer, Jeffrey Krywy. Jones and his colleagues were also asked to attend the party in uniform.

While it's not uncommon for firefighters to attend community events, the filing states, Jones expressed concern that it might be a private party. Krywy assured him the party was outdoors and in their district

When Jones arrived at the party at 1286 East Ave., he was "immediately uneasy," according to the filing.

Jones noticed a cardboard cutout of former President Donald Trump and Juneteenth decorations displayed alongside buckets of fried chicken, the filing states. Additionally, a woman who appeared to be impersonating Democratic county legislator Rachel Barnhart performed a sexually suggestive dance, and photos of Democratic politicians were staked in the yard, the filing claims.

Krywy also told Jones and the other firefighters not to take pictures, according to the filing.

Jones reported the incident to his battalion chief the following day and requested not to be assigned to work under Krywy, according to The Associated Press. His request was denied.

Jones has since taken a leave of absence after several firefighters and elected officials pressured him to remain silent, according to the filing.

In the lawsuit, Jones will seek at least $3 million for emotional distress and at least $1 million in compensatory damages.

The Rochester Fire Fighters Association called the incident "extremely disturbing."

"Our union has zero tolerance for racist attitudes and behaviors, either on or off our jobs," officials said in a statement posted to Twitter.

Rochester Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. called the incident "unacceptable and an affront to everyone who works with the RFD and in City Hall," the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported. Hernandez also said Krywy was suspended.

Rochester Mayor Malik Evans also released a statement last week, saying an internal investigation had been completed and Krywy decided to retire before he was terminated, CNN reported

County legislator Rachel Barnhart apologized to Jones during last week's news conference.

"This vile, racist event was an affront to every single citizen in this city," she said.