In a federal complaint, a Black city firefighter claims he was fired for challenging his boss’s decision to use fire hoses on George Floyd demonstrators last year.
The 13-page Brooklyn Federal Court report details the allegations of retaliation against FDNY veteran Omar Wilks following a May 2020 argument with his manager and the department’s ongoing outlook on racism.
“These defendants sought to muzzle plaintiff and inhibit his speech,” the court papers charged. “They also retaliated against him for his speech … (and) worked collectively to manufacture false claims against the plaintiff.”
Wilks’ complaint seeks damages for violations of his right to free speech and retaliation for his views, which was filed against the city, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro, and five other department officials.
“Firefighter Wilks was unlawfully punished for seeking to change the culture of discrimination at the FDNY,” said his attorney, Ayman Aboushi. “We will continue to fight for equality and ensure that the FDNY no longer retaliates against its members who do the same.”
Wilks, 41, claimed his FDNY supervisor told him and other firefighters to “assist in controlling protesters by using the fire truck’s water hoses. [Wilks] objected and insisted that such an order not be followed.”
According to the lawsuit, no fire hoses were used on demonstrators in the city, but no disciplinary action was taken against the individuals who allegedly ordered them to be used.
“At this point, these are allegations made in a lawsuit, and they have not been substantiated,” said spokesman Nick Paolucci. “We’ll let the court process play out before commenting.”
The lawsuit also stated that Wilks complained to the department brass about the marginalization of Black firefighters and the lack of diversity in the FDNY’s ranks. He also claimed that he was forced to meet with fire officials enraged by his comments.
“He was admonished for his free speech and threatened with retaliation,” the court papers charged.
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