Here is a sample of the reaction to Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed's firing of the city's fire chief, Kelvin Cochran. Cochran has been the subject of recent controversy over remarks made in a self-published religious book in 2013. Many criticized “Who Told You That You Are Naked?” as a book promoting discriminatory and anti-gay views. However, Cochran’s termination has become the focus of a fight over “religious liberty.”
From Twitter:
From Facebook:
"Terminated for writing a book about his faith is pathetic. We have become a nation of communists when you can't speak about your beliefs without losing your job. He was not even soliciting it at work. You atheists will learn your lesson very soon, and then it will be too late. You won't be able to use your intellect to force your will then. Get over your 2 faced selves." - Houston Pauley
" Maybe [Cochran] just should have stuck to work related conversations with city employees instead of voicing his personal opinion about other people lives especially in a authoritative position." - Jeannie Davis
"The idea that Mayor Reed expects people to get authorization from him before they can speak or write. America is supposed to be a free speech country. This is positively disgusting. Apparently Reed is afraid. Afraid for anyone to believe differently than him or the politically correct bunch that he follows." - Jo Anne White
"Kelvin Cochran has freedom of speech. Employee of Atlanta Fire CHIEF Kelvin Cohran has limited freedoms in speech. Just like on your job you are limited in what you say and do. If he didn't want this investigation to be opened then he should have NEVER included the fact that he was fire chief in the book." - Chanda RobertsWhite
From ajc.com:
"If this was really about judgment and not politics, why did it take the mayor one full year to fire the chief? The book was published in November, 2013, 14 months ago. I think he simply wanted the chief out and this was the way to do it." - ascreighton
"It would seem that the core of this issue is the Mayor having somehow invested his ego in the handling of Chief Cochran. Everybody in Atlanta politics knows the 'how dare you' face he makes when he is challenged or exposed for being on the wrong side of an issue..." - VictoriousOne
"I don't agree with what he put in the book but doesn't he have the freedom to express his opinion or is that just for those who agree with the mainstream ?" - Vallo
"Cochran got what he deserved. He has the right to believe whatever he wants; however, publishing a book that so heinously condemns a portion of the people he is responsible for protecting casts doubts on his judgement, and shows him unfit. And it DOES open the city up for litigation." - Pandamonius
From elsewhere:
Statement from Atlanta Professional Firefighters Local 134:
"Atlanta Professional Firefighters Local 134 would like to commend Mayor Reed and his administration for their decision to terminate Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran. Local 134 supports LGBT rights and equality among all employees. Atlanta Professional Firefighters believe we should take this opportunity work with city council and the Reed administration to improve LGBT rights by adding an LGBT liaison for the fire department. We look forward to working with City Council and the Mayor, and hope to provide any assistance they need going forward."
"We as people – not just Christians – have got to take a stand," said Myrna Lopez, owner of 3G Publishing, Inc. "How can you destroy the career of a good, decent man because of politics? Pretty soon you won't be able to even carry a Bible because it might offend someone sitting next to you. How much power are we going to give the LBGT community? This [action] is not acceptable."
Statement from Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan:
"I support the administration's decision to terminate Kelvin Cochran's employment with the City of Atlanta. His actions made it a difficult work environment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender employees within the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department. This sends a strong message to employees about how much we value diversity and how we adhere to a non-discriminatory environment. I pledge my full support to Interim Fire Chief Joel Baker and LGBT Community Liaison Robin Shahar in implementing whatever programs and steps they recommend to create a safe working environment for all employees within the department."
Statement from Rev. Timothy McDonald III, senior pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta:
"I think everybody is entitled to their religious beliefs but no one is entitled to discriminate against anyone. The fear was that because of the chief's religious beliefs that there was a potential for a certain segment to be discriminated against and that's why what happened, happened."
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