Campaign to dismiss racist fire captain

In Houston in April a Black firefighter saw a noose in the locker room at Fire Station No. 41, where he worked, and reported it to his supervisor. A white captain had hung it at his locker.

At May 7 press conference, Shelby Stewart holds up a noose similar to the one found at Fire Station #41.

Despite pleas to the mayor for an investigation, nothing has been done to the fire captain except being given a letter of reprimand. But the Black firefighter who reported this racist act was disciplined and also given a letter of reprimand. Activists held a May 7 press conference at the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center in Houston’s Black community to show solidarity with the Black firefighter.

Retired African-American firefighter Alvin James said that because of the undercurrents of racism in the Houston Fire Department, Black men and women are afraid to speak out about racism. “I have gone to City Hall and the mayor has said he would investigate this, but nothing has been done,” said James.

Activist Deric Muhammad, a leader of the Houston Millions More Movement, told local media on May 7 that a noose is a clear symbol of racism, an insult to every Black person, and must not be tolerated by those working for the city and for the public.

“The City of Houston should have a zero-tolerance policy for racism,” Deloyd Parker, the executive director of the S.H.A.P.E. Community Center, told the media. “We demand that the white captain be removed from his job.”

Activist and attorney Sister Sadiyah Evangelista explained to the press that Mr. Bennet, the Black firefighter who found the noose at Station No. 41 and reported it, has been disciplined. “Yet the white fire captain who made the noose received a slap on the wrist and is still working. We will be taking legal action on this.”

Shelby Stewart, a Black police officer who has a pending civil rights lawsuit against the Houston Police Department, and several members of the S.H.A.P.E. Council of Elders also spoke at the press conference.