CAIR-NY Denounces Racist Party Mocking Juneteenth Sanctioned by Rochester Fire Department Captain, Calls for Transparent Investigation and Accountability

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(NEW YORK, NY, 8/12/2022)—The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today called on the Rochester Fire Department to investigate a racist,  “Juneteenth” party that was allegedly sanctioned by a department captain, who pressured a lower-ranked Black firefighter to attend.  

According to a claim filed by Jerrod Jones, a 14-year veteran of the Rochester Fire Department, he and two colleagues were pressured to attend the mock “Juneteenth” party by their captain, Jeffrey Krywy. When Jones arrived, he was allegedly met with a life-size cutout of white supremacist icon Donald Trump and two large Juneteenth flags sticking out of huge buckets of fried chicken—a stereotypical food that racists associate with Black people. Mr. Jones was deeply disturbed by the event and will be seeking financial compensation for the emotional distress it caused. 

SEE:    

• Black firefighter says captain took group to racist party   

• Rochester firefighter says captain took him to racist party mocking Juneteenth  

Afaf Nasher, Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said in a statement:       

“We are outraged by the disgraceful, racist theme of this event and applaud Jerrod Jones’s courage in speaking out against this blatant mockery of Black Americans. Juneteenth should be honored and respected by all Americans, as it marks a turning point in our nation’s shameful history of institutional racism and slavery. Juneteenth is especially meaningful to our Black brothers and sisters because it commemorates the day when their enslaved ancestors were first informed of their emancipation 157 years ago. We urge the Rochester Fire Department to investigate Mr. Jones’ claim and address any systemic racism that may exist in the department.”   

She added that CAIR-NY and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging racial supremacy, religious bigotry, xenophobia, and all other forms of hatred.

Learn more about Juneteenth:   

• CAIR-NY Black Lives Matter Resource Center  

CAIR-NY has condemned several other disturbing hate incidents in recent weeks:     

SEE:          

• CAIR-NY Denounces Racist Subway Attack on Woman in Brooklyn   

• CAIR-NY Denounces Hateful, Anti-Asian Voice Message Targeting New York Senator John Liu   

• CAIR-NY Condemns Vandalism of Brooklyn Synagogue, Welcomes Arrest, Hate Crime Charges for Man Who Allegedly Painted Nazi Swastikas on Tombstones in Ellenville Cemetery   

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Attempted Murder, Hate Crime Charges for Man Who Allegedly Assaulted Elderly Asian Woman in Yonkers   

• CAIR-NY Condemns Racist Assault on Asian-American Man in Astoria, Welcomes Hate Crime Probe   

• CAIR-NY Condemns Alleged Anti-Asian Assault, Welcomes Hate Crime Charges in 2 Other Alleged Anti-Asian Assaults   

• CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Trio That Left Racist, Nazi-Inspired Pamphlets in Hornell Churches, Urges Hate Crime Probe   

CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.   

La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.   

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CONTACT: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com