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Home » News & Events » News Archive » 2001 Press Releases

Letter to Miami-Dade Fire Chief R. David Paulison

September 26, 2001

Via Facsimile

R. David Paulison, Fire Chief
Miami-Dade County Fire Department
9300 NW 41st Street
Miami, FL 33178

Dear Chief Paulison:

I am Lida Rodriguez-Taseff, the President of the American Civil Liberties Union, Greater Miami Chapter.  I am in receipt of a letter dated September 24, 2001 from several community-based groups expressing concern about the suspensions of Miami-Dade Fire Fighters, James Moore and William Clark, from the Miami-Dade County Fire Department. 

The American Civil Liberties Union is deeply concerned about the very difficult and sensitive times that our nation is currently experiencing.  I am sure that you will agree that it is especially at times like these when we are required to be even more vigilant in safeguarding the civil liberties of all of our citizens.

We would ask your assistance in answering the following questions:

  1. Whether on September 15, 2001 there was a policy, practice, directive, order or memorandum authorizing or requiring the placing of American flags on fire trucks of the Miami-Dade County Fire Department.  If so, please provide us with a copy of same.
  2. Whether the flag that was placed on the fire truck in question on or before September 15, 2001 was placed there pursuant to such policy, practice, directive, order or memorandum.
     
  3. Whether Officers Williams, Moore or Clark ever stated that the flag in question was improperly placed in a manner that would touch the ground and/or whether they objected to the placement of the flag as obstructing view, placing officers at risk or placing the community at risk.
     
  4. Whether, after the incident of September 15, 2001, the Miami-Dade Fire Department instituted a policy, practice, directive, gave an order, or issued a memorandum directing that American flags be placed on Miami-Dade County Fire trucks.  If so, was said policy intended to apply retroactively?
     
  5. Whether Officers Williams, Moore or Clark ever refused to board a fire truck bearing a flag, ever stated that they would not perform their duties because of such a flag being placed on a truck or ever refused to obey a direct order or ever disregard a direct order because of the presence of a flag on a truck.
     
  6. Whether supervisors of Officers Williams, Moore or Clark ever stated or alleged that any of the Officers refused to board a truck because they are Muslim.

Chief, I am certain that we would be in agreement that the American flag is a powerful symbol in our nation.  Because it is such a symbol, its meaning to all Americans must be respected.  Your Department is dedicated to the protection of our community and public service to its citizens.  I am certain that this matter will be resolved in a manner that is profession and sensitive to the difficult times that we are all currently experiencing.  Most importantly, I am certain that this matter will be resolved in a way as to give life to the concept of ordered liberty, for which the American flag stands.  I look forward to your response.

Please contact me at (305) 960-2242 (office) or (305) 582-1255 (cell).

Sincerely,

Lida Rodriguez-Taseff
President
ACLU, Greater Miami Chapter

cc: Max Rameau, Brothers of the Same Mind
Leroy Jones, Brothers of the Same Mind
Tony Romano, Miami Workers Center
Gihan Perrera, Miami Workers Center

2001 Press Releases