Confederate flag seen on fire truck on Long Island; investigation underway

Monday, August 31, 2020
BROOKHAVEN, New York (WABC) -- An investigation is underway on Long Island after a Confederate flag was seen displayed on a Brookhaven Fire Department fire truck.

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"I'm appalled by reports that a Confederate flag was flown on a Brookhaven Fire Department truck at a Patchogue parade. We have zero tolerance for symbols of racism or division, and I have directed the New York State Division of Human Rights to investigate the incident immediately," said Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a statement.

Confederate flag seen on fire truck on Long Island; investigation underway


The Brookhaven Fire Department released a statement on Sunday night saying,

"The unauthorized action was done without the knowledge of our leadership team and is condemned in the strongest of terms."

The statement went on to say, "We can assure our community that racism has no home in our firehouse."

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Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone released several tweets, saying he was 'deeply disturbed.'

He said,

"I was deeply disturbed and angered to learn that someone would prominently display a Confederate flag on a fire truck in this county, a symbol of division that is not reflective of who we are, nor who we aspire to become."

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