A group of Black firefighters at a North Carolina department are alleging white captains discussed running down protesters and made other inappropriate remarks bot on social media and in person, according to a grievance filed with the city.
The group—called Omnibus and made up of current and former Black Winston-Salem firefighters—claims the captains created a hostile work environment with their posts on social media and in person, the Winston-Salem Journal reports. The Black firefighters also are calling for the firing of the captains, as well as Chief William "Trey" Mayo, claiming he did nothing to discipline firefighters.
But one of the captains in the grievance is disputing the allegations, saying they were "taken out of context." City officials also contend that the Black firefighters did not bring up these issues through the appropriate channels, according to the Journal.
In July, Omnibus held an event outside a Winston-Salem fire station to draw attention to the racism and harassment they alleged had occurred in the department.
