A federal judge has dismissed claims of racial discrimination filed by current and former Winston-Salem firefighters almost a year ago, although the court has left the door open for the
Five Black firefighters filed a lawsuit alleging that the city of Winston-Salem and fire chief William "Trey" Mayo racially discriminated against them and other Black firefighters. Attorneys for Mayo and
Five Black Winston-Salem firefighters have filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Winston-Salem and fire Chief William Trey Mayo alleging racial discrimination in hiring, promotion, discipline, harassment and retaliation.
The firefighters are all members of the Omnibus group, which has called for the firing of Mayo and some other white fire employees since last summer.
Three of the firefighters filing suit currently work in the department and two are former employees. The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, Feb. 11, in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Citing what it calls decades-long history of discrimination, harassment, intimidation and retaliation against Black employees, the lawsuit claims that Blacks are discouraged from applying for positions, more rigorously, tested, belittled and demeaned at fire stations and targeted, ostracized or transferred if they complain.
Report on culture and climate at the Fire Department delivered to City of Winston-Salem Public Safety Committee Author: Adaure Achumba Updated: 7:56 PM EST January 11, 2021
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. Some Winston-Salem firefighters continue to bring attention to actions within the fire department they ve said are blatant racism. This, as city officials received a 42-page report from Charlotte based consultants, WPR Consulting LLC., on the culture and climate of the fire department.
According to the report, the WSFD itself, is not a racist organization, however, there are individuals employed by the department who are viewed as racists.
In October, a group of Black firefighters with the Winston-Salem Fire Department filed a grievance with the city. They want colleagues whom they say are responsible for racism as well as the fire chief out.
It was an ordinary day of training at the Winston-Salem Fire Department in November 2019. Firefighters were beefing up on ropes and knot-tying skills when a symbol of hate interrupted the class.
Michael Chapman, a white fireman, tied a noose and held it up to Darius Johnson, one of his Black counterparts in the department, then asked if Johnson knew what type of knot it was.
Nooses were tied around the necks of thousands of Black men and women who were lynched during the Jim Crow era.
When Johnson reported the racially charged gesture to his higher-ups, it spiraled all the way up the command chain to Fire Chief William Mayo.