Utica Fire Chief Refuses to Remove Religious Sign Despite Complaints

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Utica Fire

Even after receiving unending complaints from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks has refused to bring down a sign that says, ‘Happy Birthday Jesus, We Love you,’ from outside Firehouse No 4.

Brooks has received letters not only from the FFRF but also several other residents of Utica, all of whom want him to bring down the sign that was put up by the firehouse crew outside their workplace as part of a decade-long Christmas tradition. But in his team’s defense, Brooks said he cannot fathom why the FFRF has singled them out this year when they have been putting up the sign since the 9/11 attacks took place in 2001.

“9/11 brought a lot of the guys closer to God, and they just wanted to show their faith in Jesus,” Brooks told WKTV. “They had no idea a controversy would arise.”

The FFRF explained they decided to oppose Brooks’ tradition this year after a resident of Utica lodged a complaint.

Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the FFRF, said, “About 20 percent of Utica citizens are nonreligious and others follow non-Christian faiths, and that includes Utica firefighters. The Utica Fire Department should not send them this exclusionary and alienating message.”

Brooks, who started receiving warning letters from the FFRF earlier this year, said even though most other government organizations feel intimidated and eventually back down after receiving such threats, his Firehouse No 4 will not react the same way.

“Pledge of Allegiance has God in it, money has God on it,” he said. “This case isn’t unique.”

Brooks also said his team is not the only one to have such put up such a display. He cited New Hartford Fire Department’s tradition of putting up a nativity scene each year to make his point clear. Brooks also said he has sought help from Thomas More Law Center, a law firm that claims to defend and restore America’s Judeo-Christian heritage, in case the FFRF expresses a desire to take legal action against him.

Photo Credits: FDNY Response

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