Several Miami-Dade firefighters and law enforcement officers gathered outside the fire department Doral headquarters to protest what they said were racist remarks Captain Brian Beckman posted on his Facebook page about Trayvon Martin and his parents.
Immediate action was taken when Miami Marlins manager, Ozzie Guillen spoke favorably of Fidel Castro, said William D.C. Clark, a retired Miami-Dade firefighter and paramedic of 28 years.
In speaking to Time magazine, Guillen said he "loved Fidel Castro" because so many people have wanted to kill him, but he's still around. The community erupted in outrage, and Guillen apologized. He also was suspended for five games.
"We want the same type swift response that they gave to a private situation," Clark said. "This is a public situation that affects a large segment of this community."
Beckman posted the Facebook entry after murder charges were filed against neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who shot and killed unarmed teen Trayvon Martin in a gated Sanford community.
Clark, who organized the protest that drew some 40 people, said the community should question why the fire department is taking so long with its investigation.
"If I, an African-American firefighter, had made those types of racist remarks to a group of people in such a diverse community, what would have happened to me?" he asked.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue released a statement Wednesday saying the investigation is underway.
"The department will not be rushed into completing this inquiry," according to the statement from spokesperson Griselle Marino. "The public is entitled to a thorough fact-finding process, and that is what we will do."
Beckman's Facebook post said, "The state seeks reelection again, truth aside. I and my coworkers could rewrite the book on whether our urban youths are victims of racist profiling or products of their failed, sh*tbag, ignorant, pathetic, welfare dependent excuses for parents, but like Mrs. Corey, we speak only the truth. They're just misunderstood little church going angels and the ghetto hoodie look doesn't have anything to do with why people wonder if they're about to get jacked by a thug."
Protesters say they are hoping for a thorough investigation that results in action against Beckman.
"We want him fired," said John Pace, 61, a retired Miami-Dade police officer. "I'm not taking away his right to speak but I am taking away his right to serve myself and others.... How can he serve us?"
Organizers plan to rally again at noon Tuesday at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center.
"We will continue to hold rallies until we get a just decision," Clark said. "We want to put pressure on him and the department to treat our community with the same respect and honor that it does all other communities."
Copyright 2012 - The Miami Herald
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
