Black Firefighter’s Story Gains Momentum After Hazing Incident Appears Clearly On Camera

A Black firefighter has initiated a federal lawsuit against a New Jersey fire department, asserting that his workplace failed to take prompt action following severe racial harassment from a coworker. In a $25 million lawsuit, Patrick Thomas claims the Bloomfield Fire Department neglected to safeguard him from or discipline Walter Coffey, a white firefighter who repeatedly subjected him to racial discrimination.The legal filing states that Coffey made both verbal and physical allusions to nooses during separate incidents. Notably, on November 8, 2023, during a training about knot techniques, Coffey commented about a noose present while later hurling a hangman’s noose towards Thomas, laughingly suggesting he identify the knot. Thomas responded with indignation, highlighting the historical significance of nooses.Despite Bloomfield officials initiating an internal investigation, it stalled after Coffey’s criminal charges for bias intimidation. Mayor Jenny Mundell stated the township’s commitment to addressing racism. Thomas is seeking justice for the emotional and psychological toll he has endured.