Former Columbia, South Carolina firefighter James “Jimmy” Morris filed a lawsuit against the city claiming he was discriminated because of his race after being fired for social media posts that threaten violence toward protesters.

In 2016, Morris took to Facebook to vent about the recent Black Lives Matter protests in response to a white secessionist State House rally about the Confederate flag. Activists shut down major Interstate 126 which Morris referenced in his posts, according to The State.

“Idiots shutting down I-126. Better not be there when I get off work or there is gonna be some run over dumbasses,” he wrote in one post.

And in another, he goes into more detail stating that protesters better not hope he isn't the first person to run them over. “Public Service Announcement: If you attempt to shut down an interstate, highway, etc on my way home, you best hope I’m not one of the first vehicles because your ass WILL get run over. Period! That is all …”

The 17-year veteran firefighter was fired the next day on the grounds of professionalism.

City manager Teresa Wilson said Morris’ Facebook posts demonstrated “a lack of respect for the lives and safety of others.”

Morris' lawsuit claims that his speech was no different than that of "non-white employees." Others who have made comments similar to this have been suspended or not disciplined at all. It also alleged that he was fired because of his race.

“Our lawsuit says that Jimmy was terminated for engaging in free speech and that other non-white employees engaged in the same sort of speech and were not terminated,” Morris’ lawyer, Paul Porter said.

"The First Amendment prohibits firing a government employee for speaking about matters of public concern, Porter added. “We believe this case is important, and that we can ultimately prove both a free speech violation and race discrimination.”

Morris ultimately wants back pay and lost benefits but wants the city to pay for his loss of reputation, and mental and emotional distress caused by the firing. Even though he was fired, it has not stopped him from being a firefighter. He is a member of the Midlands fire department.

South Carolina firefighter

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