A Black Rochester firefighter is taking legal action after alleging that his fire captain forced him and others to attend a racist, Juneteenth-themed party.
Jerrod Jones, a 14-year veteran of the Rochester N.Y. Fire Department, says his captain Jeffrey Krywy took him and three others to the private celebration, which included “fried chicken buckets” and “cognac flavors.”
According to HuffPost, Jones is now seeking $4 million in damages.
In a notice of claim, Jones says he felt “immediately uneasy” as he arrived at a residence in “one of the city’s most affluent communities” and saw a cutout of former President Donald Trump.
He added that he spotted two large Juneteenth flags, KFC buckets of chicken and a woman impersonating Democratic county legislator Rachel Barnhart.
Jones also cited that he saw photos of local Democratic politicians “on stakes” and was told by a fellow firefighter that the crew “shouldn’t be here.”
Jones recounted that the experience felt like a scene from the film, Get Out. He noted that he was offered chicken by one of the hosts, which he declined.
“You sure? It’s KFC,” replied the host.
Jones also said he recognized one of the attendees of the party as a “senior member” of the Rochester Police Department.
The firefighter complained to his acting battalion chief the day after the party but was assigned to work alongside Krywy four days after his report.
Jones has since been placed on leave for fear of retaliation and suffering emotional distress.
Rochester firefighter Jerrod Jones explains why he is suing the city and RFD after he was ordered to an allegedly racist and politically charged party while on duty. @rgorbman @WXXINews @roccitynews pic.twitter.com/eLu8xsR9yg
— Max Schulte (@maxrocphoto) August 11, 2022
“What I had to experience a month ago — it cut me very deep,” he said at a press conference. “I’m sorry to even have to be here today but in order for things to change we have to do difficult things and one of those difficult things is speaking up against a department that you love with everything in you.”
According to REVOLT, Rochester Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez has called Jones’ claims “unacceptable” and an “affront to everyone who works with the [Rochester Fire Department] and City Hall.”
Hernandez added that an internal investigation had been completed, and Krywy continues to be suspended. Jones, however, is hoping an independent investigation will be launched.
