Man Who Mocked George Floyd’s Killing Is Fired by FedEx

[SummerMadness]

Man Who Mocked George Floyd’s Killing Is Fired by FedEx

The protest in the southern New Jersey township was similar to those that have unfolded across the United States since George Floyd was killed in police custody: About 70 people gathered to rally against police brutality and systemic racism.

But as the diverse group marched along Monday, waving signs and chanting slogans in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, it was met by several white men who had gathered near a sign that said “All Lives Matter” and in front of a pickup truck draped with an American flag and a pro-Trump sign.

One of the men yelled at the marchers angrily while kneeling on the neck of another who was facedown on the ground — an apparent attempt to mock the killing of Mr. Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis after a white officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

By Tuesday afternoon, the state’s Department of Corrections said it had suspended one of its employees after confirming that he was among the group that taunted and tried to upset the protesters.

Hours later, FedEx confirmed that one of its employees had also taken part in the counterprotest and had been fired as a result.

 

[Frugality]

A reminder that free speech and expression is a right that protects you from legal consequences and nothing more.

 

[solid_core]

Man Who Mocked George Floyd’s Killing Is Fired by FedEx

Thats terrible.

So called "land of free" and you are fired because of your opinions... terrible. Russia seems to be more free than the USA, these days.

 

[Frugality]

Thats terrible.

So called "land of free" and you are fired because of your opinions... terrible. Russia seems to be more free than the USA, these days.

It is a free country. They weren't charged, prosecuted, or imprisoned. They turned out better than George Floyd, in fact.

 

[solid_core]

It is a free country. They weren't charged, prosecuted, or imprisoned.

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

 

[Frugality]

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

If you don't understand the rights you do and do not have in the country in which you reside, only you are at fault. Your rights don't protect you from facing any and all consequences; they protect you legally.

 

[Yttrium]

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

So people should be able to call their boss a moron without being fired? Gee, that would be nice. I don't see that happening, though. The companies have freedoms and rights too.

 

[SummerMadness]

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

Wonderful advice for up and coming employees. Go to work and curse out your supervisor, there should be no consequences for that! Free speech!

Some do not understand how free speech works, @Paisios of Athos laid it out very clearly.

 

[Gregorikos]

Thats terrible.

So called "land of free" and you are fired because of your opinions... terrible. Russia seems to be more free than the USA, these days.

No one was fired for their opinions. they were fired for their public behavior.

 

[CRAZY_CAT_WOMAN]

Sickening, he also mocked his death. By kneeling on some guys neck. I wouldn't want him around me. Or delivery my things.

 

[Tom 1]

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

Really, that’s what you think? You can just say whatever you like, and if it happens to offend your (private) employer they should just get over it? Since when is company policy over the reckless behaviour of employees an indicator of the freedom of a country? I doubt if there are any companies that don’t have a clause in every employee’s contract that specifies loss of employment for any behaviour that, in their opinion, risks bringing the company into disrepute. Certainly not any large or successful company.

 

[trunks2k]

To roughly quote XKCD: "Free speech doesn't mean freedom from criticism or consequences. If you are yelled at, get your show cancelled, banned from an internet community, or lose your job, your free speech rights are not being violated.

It's just that people think you are an *********. And they are showing you the door"

 

[Caliban]

Thats terrible.

So called "land of free" and you are fired because of your opinions... terrible. Russia seems to be more free than the USA, these days.

You can't be serious...I don't think you understand freedom. People are not free to spew racist ideology without social consequences. The one who was not free was George Floyd.

 

[durangodawood]

Yeah youre free to be a jerk in many ways.

Others are also free to see you being a jerk and say "I dont want to associate with you". And then follow through.

 

[Sparagmos]

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

So do you support people being able to tell a supervisor off, or speak their mind freely with customers?

 

[GoldenBoy89]

If you cannot say what you think without serious consequences, then you are NOT living in a free country. Period.

Free speech does not mean free from consequences. It means free from government infringement.

And the loss of job is a serious consequence.

A valuable lesson to be learned.

 

[SummerMadness]

Free speech does not mean free from consequences. It means free from government infringement.

A valuable lesson to be learned.

The same thing happened to a student that received a scholarship to college this fall. She posted a racist meme laughing at George Floyd's death on social media... she lost her scholarship. You are not entitled to your job or scholarship, as you said, free speech does not mean free from consequences.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

So people should be able to call their boss a moron without being fired? Gee, that would be nice.

Apparently you can do that in Russia...

 

[Trogdor the Burninator]

First up, I have zero sympathy for the person who mocked George Floyd. If someone hates black people that much, they should just stay away from society altogether.

But I'm not so sure I agree with the definition of "not free from consequences" either. Because I can easily see a world where corporations fired people for tweeting in support of BLM. Or calling Trump names. Or posting material in support of Palestine. Or distributing union materials.

Speaking out and not going to jail but losing your job is how McCarthyism worked.

 

[SarahsKnight]

Thats terrible.

So called "land of free" and you are fired because of your opinions... terrible. Russia seems to be more free than the USA, these days.

That's what a mocking display of someone's completely unjustifiable death is to you? ... A mere opinion?