By Laura French
GLASTONBURY, Conn. — A Connecticut fire department has released a statement after an off-duty firefighter was shown on video making comments against the use of naloxone at a Black Lives Matter rally and food drive on Sunday.
The video filmed by a Black Lives Matter protester shows an argument between off-duty Glastonbury Firefighter James Stanley and the protester, during which Stanley says, “I think you get rid of ... Narcan, and when people overdose, you let them die,” according to the Journal Inquirer.
The video was shared on the Facebook page of BLM860, which helped organize the rally, and on Twitter by BLM860 CFO Ivie La Nena Mala.
https://twitter.com/lilcoqui84/status/1389467275770597376?s=20
After the video was posted to social media, the Glastonbury Fire Department released a statement saying, “The Department is aware of a personal comment made by a member of our organization yesterday regarding the use of Naloxone (Narcan). The individual’s comment is upsetting, and by no means a reflection of those who dedicate themselves to protecting the residents and visitors of Glastonbury. This is a personnel matter, and there will be no further comment.”
Stanley told the Journal Inquirer that he apologizes for his comment about Narcan, calling it “insensitive,” “inappropriate” and “hurtful,” saying “This comment in no way represents my character or conduct as a 20 year veteran of the fire service.” Stanley added that he has also suffered loss due to substance addiction.
The protester who filmed the comment, Linda Ivelisse Correa-Ojeda, alleges Stanley has organized multiple counter-protests against Black Lives Matter events and made similar comments in the past, including “racially charged comments,” according to the Journal Inquirer. Stanley denied that the “Patriots for America” rally he organized Sunday was a counter-protest to the Black Lives Matter food drive and rally that occurred around the same time.