Mississippi hospital employee Clayton Hickey walked into a polling station on Election Day wearing a noticeably offensive shirt.
Someone photographed the voter in the city of Olive Branch, where he wore a white T-shirt with the words “Mississippi Justice” framing the chest of the shirt that included a Confederate flag and hanging noose.
Olive Branch, Mississippi. Nov 6th, 2018. pic.twitter.com/UN4vzu8tK2
— smokeySr???????????? (@smokeydaQue1212) November 7, 2018
The image immediately went viral, and many angry social media users expressed their outrage:
I was in line with my boys at the same time. I was disgusted and horrified. We all were. He does not speak for the majority of our city. I wish I had spoken up but I didn’t want to bring attention to him.
— Ashleigh Parker (@23ashparker_) November 7, 2018
This the people we share this world with. They don’t deserve the air they breathe.
— Vick Brees (@247grind) November 7, 2018
Clayton Hickey needs to be fired immediately. He cannot be trusted to provide care to ALL patients of @RegOneHealthFDN, nor should he be able to be hired by anyone else in a role that is responsible for the well-being of others. #FireClaytonHickey
— twinfish (@twinfish6) November 8, 2018
Hickey, a former police officer, was initially mistaken for a poll worker until local media outlets quickly identified him as an EMT at Regional One Health in Memphis.
The hospital swiftly shared a series of statements on Twitter in response to demands that they take action:
Regional One Health is committed to a safe, secure, and comfortable work environment for our patients, guests, employees, and medical staff. All allegations of inappropriate behavior and violations of trust involving employees are reviewed and investigated. 1/5
— Regional One Health (@RegOneHealthFDN) November 8, 2018
We take this process seriously and are committed to following all necessary steps to verify the truth. On November 7, 2018, we became aware of a photo circulating on social media of an individual identified online as an employee of Regional One Health. The Regional One Health 2/5
— Regional One Health (@RegOneHealthFDN) November 8, 2018
legal and human resources teams promptly began an investigation into this employee and to determine if these allegations were real and accurate. We understand and appreciate the intense feelings related to this situation, but it is our duty to perform a thorough 3/5
— Regional One Health (@RegOneHealthFDN) November 8, 2018
The hospital completed its investigation and shared that the findings "led to the termination of the employee in question."
"This includes fostering a safe and protected work and care environment for all. Behaviors contrary to these principles are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” they wrote.
due diligence to verify the truth. As of today, November 8, 2018, we have completed our investigation and what we learned led to the termination of the employee in question. Regional One Health holds employees to a high standard. We are committed to upholding our mission to 4/5
— Regional One Health (@RegOneHealthFDN) November 8, 2018
provide compassionate care and exceptional services to all. This includes fostering a safe and protected work and care environment for all. Behaviors contrary to these principles are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. 5/5
— Regional One Health (@RegOneHealthFDN) November 8, 2018
Another day, another racist.
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