More racism on Long Island... this time an appropriate response

[tk2kewl]

3 Coram fire chiefs resign after race-fueled standoff
BY ERIK GERMAN
[email protected]

Three chiefs of the Coram fire department have resigned to protest a fellow chief's suspension which they said was punishment for defending a black firefighter who had been the target of a racist remark.

"We don't tolerate racism," said Second Assistant Chief Robert Kinahan, one of the three who resigned. "This is a brotherhood. There's no room for that."

The controversy started at a May 19 departmental installation dinner, when witnesses said Sal Giarrizzo, a white fire district employee, told Milton Forde, one of the department's few black members, "I don't like black people."

Several department volunteers and officials witnessed what followed later that night: Chief of the department Ronald Curaba confronted Giarrizzo to reprimand him for the remark. The two men stood inches apart, roaring at each other. Accounts of what happened next differ -- some said the chief head-butted Giarrizzo, others insist no blow was exchanged.

The elected board of fire commissioners on July 10 suspended the chief for two weeks, saying he assaulted Giarrizzo.

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[Catherine Vincent]

1. I've always said there are more racists up north (and east)

than their are racists in the south.