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2017-04-26 Step 3 Grievance_20170606123410

Second generation Eureka firefighter Matt McFarland has filed a grievancewith the Humboldt Bay Fire's governing body, the Joint Powers Authority, due to being ordered to remove a 'Black Lives Matter' pin on his uniform shirt.

McFarland began wearing the pin in November 2016 and said in March of this year he was ordered by Chief Bill Gillespie to remove the pin.

Humboldt Bay Fire's uniform policy states that one pin that is fire service related and in good taste, may be worn.

McFarland states that his pin meets policy standards.

My pin is without a doubt related to my service as a firefighter because recent political events have created an environment of heightened fear and anxiety among communities of color, and increased distrust of law enforcement. This sentiment is highly detrimental to our ability, as emergency responders, to do our jobs well," said McFarland.

McFarland further explained why wearing the pin is important to him.

Nobody is safe when a large portion of our community is reluctant to engage with emergency services when these services are needed. We can choose to continue to deny or ignore the difficult experiences of the people suffering most in our communities or we can choose to listen to them, believe their lived experiences, and work together to improve the systems we share. I believe that this is a discussion worth having, and I want to live in a community that is courageous enough to have these conversations, even when they are messy, uncomfortable, and imperfect.

McFarland's lawyer said in a statement, A ban on Black Lives Matters pins exposes the District to significant liability because it constitutes unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination.

The Joint Powers Authority board members will meet on Wednesday, June 7, at 10:00 a.m., at Eureka City Hall for a public hearing on the grievance. McFarland will hold a press conference directly before the hearing around 9:30 a.m. You can read the entire grievance by clicking the link at the top of this article.

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Grievance filed by firefighter over Black Lives Matter pin - KRCRTV.COM