Michigan Firefighter is the Latest Cybercasualty

Posted by: Curt Varone December 13, 2016 1 Comment

A Michigan firefighter has been terminated over racially charged comments he posted on Facebook.

Ryan Hudson, 40, of the Belding Fire Department, was fired yesterday for comments he posted in reply to a post that supported San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Kapernick has refused to stand for the national anthem this season claiming it symbolizes white America’s oppression of African Americans and other minorities.

Hudson’s reply stated:

“F— Black Lives Matter. You are the epitome of a n—– and if you think it’s just black lives kiss my a– b—- and go back to the fields that us in the north fought to free you from.”

The post was deleted, but a screen shot was taken and forwarded online.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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