FDNY Commissioner Gets Brutal Reception During St. Patty’s Parade

Daphne Moon 0 1 min read

During the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City, FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh was met with a harsh reception from protesters. Just days after FDNY officials promised to “hunt down” those who heckled New York state Attorney General Letitia James, Kavanagh became the target of the same anger and resentment.

As she marched in the parade, Kavanagh was confronted by protesters holding signs and calling her out. One sign even had her face on the body of a donkey, with the words “Pin the tail on the jackass” written on it. The protester holding the sign screamed insults at Kavanagh as she passed by, accusing her of being a poor leader and urging firefighters to stand against her.

The atmosphere of the parade was tense, with some protesters showing their support for former President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, some officials and parade-goers tried to show their support for the protesters, shaking hands and marching alongside them. This incident was not an isolated one, as just a week prior, FDNY members booed and chanted Trump’s name during an appearance by Letitia James.

In response to the incident, FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens promised to investigate and hold accountable the members who participated in the booing. However, amidst criticism for violating the First Amendment rights of the firefighters, Hodgens attempted to clarify his statement, claiming that “hunt” was not meant to be taken literally and that it was not about booing, but rather other potential violations of department regulations. However, the specific violations have not been disclosed.

Kavanagh also added fuel to the fire by apologizing to the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, where the booing took place. Some firefighters saw this as a waste of her time and an unnecessary political move, as the commissioner’s invitation to Letitia James to speak at the event had already caused tensions.

Many FDNY members feel that their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression have been violated. They believe that their actions at the parade were within their rights and that Kavanagh’s apology was not necessary. They see her apology as not only a waste of time but also an attempt to suppress their voices.

The FDNY Commissioner’s presence at the St. Patrick’s Day parade sparked a charged atmosphere and reignited the tension between the department and the current political climate. The incident has also raised concerns about the importance of protecting firefighters’ rights and freedom of speech within the FDNY. It remains to be seen how the department will handle the aftermath of this incident and whether it will have a lasting impact on the relationship between the FDNY and its members.

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