NEW YORK — The New York firefighter’s union says a new FDNY directive is a violation of free speech.
Last month’s directive banned firefighters from displaying any material declaring opinions on engines or ladder company property, according to CBSNewYork.
“There are new bans that are in effect that you can’t put an American flag up, you can’t have a picture of a deceased firefighter who died in the line of duty, you can’t put up a sign that says ‘Go Giants.’ This is ridiculous,” Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy told 1010 WINS.
The union told its members to ignore the order, and the union’s attorney says the new directive won’t hold up in court.
“Did somebody miss that day at law school?” Ron Kuby said. “Were they sick? You just can’t do that. So stop.”
The order might be directed at Merit Matters, an organization inside the department that objects to some techniques being used to diversify the department.
“We’re supposed to be grown-ups,” said the group’s president, Paul Mannix. “We’re supposed to deal with opposing opinions. There is a big push about bringing diversity, but I guess diversity of thought isn’t included.”
The revised directive, under the headline “Use of Bulletin Boards in Quarters,” says the following:
“Bulletin boards in facilities shall be used only for official Department business or important information relating to approved Departmental organizations. In addition to applicable EEO restrictions, material presenting opinions or viewpoints is not permitted anywhere in quarters. It does not matter whether such opinions or views concern Department matters or non-Department matters. NO articles/material may be posted from any publications, internet or other sources.”
Cassidy said the policy violates the right of free speech, and the union plans to sue.
“So the question is, how can you negotiate with someone who doesn’t understand the First Amendment or who believes instinctively that they can tell firefighters what to do on any level at any point in time?” he said.