Peterson says he stands by his comments on July 4. "What has this country come to when someone can get fired on Independence Day for a patriotic statement?" he said.
A Tennessee railway conductor was fired for using his microphone on Independence Day to praise the United States as "the greatest country on the face of the planet" and telling anyone who disagreed they were free to leave.
Jack Peterson, a seasonal conductor for Chattanooga's historic Incline Railway, was terminated after a video of his July 4 remarks went viral on TikTok. "To the very, very few Americans in here, happy Independence Day," Peterson told passengers. "To the rest of you, welcome to the greatest country on the face of the planet, and if you disagree, you can leave." The clip drew abuse from passengers, with one person heard shouting, "Shut up."
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), which operates the Incline Railway, said Peterson was dismissed immediately after management reviewed the video and received passenger complaints. CARTA Chief of Staff Scott Wilson apologized to riders, saying: "Every passenger who boards our railway deserves to feel respected and welcome." Wilson said Peterson violated company policies governing employee conduct and customer interactions.
Despite defending the termination, CARTA says Peterson may not be gone permanently. Wilson said CEO Charles Frazier plans to meet personally with Peterson to discuss the incident and determine whether "there is a path forward for reemployment in some capacity." Peterson says he stands by his comments and believes he was punished simply for expressing patriotic views on Independence Day. "What has this country come to when someone can get fired on Independence Day for a patriotic statement?" he said.
Peterson has since launched a GoFundMe, and supporters from around the country have reached out following the viral controversy.
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