Rules Barred Only Black Firefighter at NY Fire Station Where Obama Visited Because He Was Off-Duty

Secret Service Rules Barred Only Black Firefighter at NY Fire Station Where Obama Visited Because He Was Off-Duty

The Secret Service has its rules.

As a result, the lone black firefighter at the Midtown firehouse — Engine 54, Ladder Company 4 — visited by President Obama on Thursday wasn’t allowed to be there, the New York Times reported.

”Secret Service only wanted the people that were working that tour there, and it is unfortunate that some provisions could not be made for the only black firefighter in the firehouse to be there also,” said Michael Marshall, a fire lieutenant in the department and the first vice president of the Vulcan Society, an organization of black firefighters.

The Times reported that the black firefighter, Patrice G. McLeod, and more than 30 other off-duty firefighters were not given permission to attend. The station lost 15 firefighters on 9/11.

The Times reported that McLeod showed up anyway along with other high ranking department members who apparently were not vetted by the Secret Service for the visit. But they were all told they had to leave.

http://www.ticklethewire.com/2011/05/06/secret-service-rules-barred-only-black-firefighter-at-ny-fire-station-from-being-there-when-obama-visited-because-he-was-off-duty/

:shrug:

answered my own question, I guess it's cause it could increase significantly the number of people they would have to check out. Now it makes sense to me.

because they didn't know they would be there.

I'm seriously conflicted on this though.

Consider this scenario: Had the Secret Service changed its rule to accomodate the "only black firefighter", and something happened, SOMEONE would have said the rules were relaxed BECAUSE President Obama is black.

I'd bet my bad reputation on that.

Why should an exception be made? Isn't that discriminatory?

Had an exception been made, it would have seemed the exception was racially motivated. Had the exception been made, and something happened, someone would have SCREAMED that the exception was racially motivated, but for the opposite reason.

I'm sure some of them were very disappointed as well. I know I would be.

I would assume these rules are in place to avoid too many people and for the safety of the president.

... the Secret Service a chance to background check the people who will be there.

The SS can easily check that number. The president is often in rooms with hundreds of people and more. Very easy to check 45 people.

Isn't that what's called discrimination?

the "on duty" rule? Other off-duty firefighters from that station didn't get to see the President either.

Not sure how else it would have become a story.

because his skin color 'matches' that of the president?

Headlines:

"Duty roster rigged for Black firefighter"

"Off duty firemen complain of preferential treatment for Black co-worker"

Way to make this a race issue when it isn't -- all off-duty firefighters were banned, not just the black one.

Obama to meet with these firefighters together at some point in the near future.

It seems that New York doesn't have many Black Firefighters.

That's the first thing I noticed about the story. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.

turned away. Would have been wise of the Secret Service to make accommodations, but their job is to protect the Presidency of the United States of America. The number of chances that the Secret Service can take is zero.

all worked to keep blacks out of fire fighter positions. Only recently has that relented. I am from Chicago where stories of white fire fighter union officials fighting to keep the stations white were in the paper constantly.

That is something that really stood out on 9/11 - that there were so few black firefighters and police. I think they need to examine their hiring pratices.

applicants.

...a workplace it's because the people at the top either want it that way or don't mind it being that way.

...again, reality.

who is black after 9/11 what he thought of that. He thinks that their hiring has a lot to do with being a relative of a firefighter. Don't knopw if that is accurate but it bears some investigation.

maybe the Fire fighters Union worked to keep Black applicants out.

Stop trying to make it about race...