vendredi 6 mai 2011

Patrice McLeod, Sole Black Firefighter at Engine 54 Firehouse, Banned from President Obama Visit in NYC

Patrice McLeod & black firefighters organization upset after he was banned from President Barack Obama's visit to Engine 54 in NYC to commemorate 9/11 terror attacks following death of Osama Bin Laden.

Patrice McLeod, the only black firefighter at Engine 54/Ladder 4/Battalion 9 firehouse, where President Obama visited Thursday, was not allowed to meet the nation's first black president because he was not on duty, according to the Daily Mail. In fact, he said he was banned from the chance of a lifetime and that has angered the Vulcan Society, a black firefighter organization. He set himself up to be embarrassed by showing up when they told him quite clearly he was not invited.
The decision has angered the Vulcan Society, an organisation of black firefighters.‘[The] 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, the organization’s first vice president.

Ahead of Mr Obama’s visit the Secret Service asked for a list of people the President would meet and their social security numbers to check their backgrounds. Source
A spokesman for the NYC Fire Department said more than 30 other firefighters were banned from attending. Hey, I don't quite know what to make of this. I wouldn't say it was racially motivated. Dunno! Share your thoughts.

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