Indiana Firefighter Sues Over Noose Incident
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An Indiana firefighter who was tossed a noose during a training exercise has filed a lawsuit in federal court naming chief who tossed the noose.
Marion firefighter Mikel Neal and his wife, Rachelle Fears-Neal, have filed suit against former Deputy Chief Rick Backs. The four-page complaint filed today alleges a single count of a due process violation.
The incident occurred February 13, 2015 at Marion Fire Department Station 6 during ropes and knots training. According to the complaint:
- Deputy Chief Rick Backs came to the station towards the end of the training. Everyone was in the kitchen area.
- Deputy Chief Backs asked for Captain Miller’s rope, and Captain Miller tossed his rope to him.
- Captain Miller then said something to the affect “I don’t think you should be doing that” and Mr. Neal looked up from his phone and noticed Deputy Chief Backs was making something with a rope but at the time Mr. Neal couldn’t tell what it was.
- Deputy Chief Backs then said “Here Mikki” as he tossed the rope to Mr. Neal, at which point Mr. Neal noticed it was a noose.
- Neal did not look up at Deputy Chief Backs. Mr. Neal just caught the noose and set it down on the table and shook his head in shock.
- As an African American that is supposed to have a “brotherhood” with fellow Firefighters, Mr. Neal cannot ignore this blatant act of disrespect and discrimination.
Backs has been demoted to firefighter over the incident. Back in April, there were news reports that Neal had filed suit over the incident. Here is more on the discussions about the first suit.
Here is a copy of the complaint: NEAL V BACKS
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