Former City Worker Sues City of Tampa for Firing Him Over Confederate License Plate

AP ^ | 03/12/2003

[Phlap]

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A former city worker who was fired for refusing to remove a Confederate flag license plate from his truck is suing the city of Tampa.

In a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Larry A. Carpenter, 47, said his First Amendment right to free speech was violated when he was fired over the dispute.

Carpenter was ordered in January 2002 to remove the license plate or park his truck off city property. He refused to do either, was cited for insubordination and was fired from his job as a traffic maintenance specialist in the Public Works Department.

Carpenter's attorney, J. Benton Stewart II, said his client, a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, is proud of his heritage and merely wants the city to develop a written policy that is uniformly applied.

Stewart said other city workers who drive vehicles with bumper stickers bearing political slogans and offensive statements are allowed to park on city property.

Messages left with City Attorney Jim Palermo were not immediately returned. Carpenter declined to comment on the lawsuit Wednesday.

[Leto]

Very different situation, the license plate is on his privatly owner truck, which is driven to and from work, the anti war emails were generated on goverment time and property.

Now if he put the rebel flag plate on a city truck he used at work... you'd have a point.

[billbears]

I've never met nor heard of a white person being offended by the Confederate Flag, so what else would I infer?

Been in a cave or under a rock? Dick Gephardt has apparently been 'offended' by the Confederate Flag. If you don't like it, don't look. I don't like a lot of things, but out of respect for someone's freedom to do what they have the right to do, unless they are infringing upon someone else (like the NAALCP), I don't say anything

[connectthedots]

While I could never understand what honor there is in be the "son of a ______" or the "daughter of a _______" since we should all be judged based on our own merits and accomplishments, the city should be prepared write a sizable check and give the guy his job back.

[JebBush2008]

Have you ever wondered why the Confederates are the only people who lost a war and still honor the symbols of their defeated past?

I don't see too many Germans waving the Nazi Flag or too many Japanese that still believe in the Emperor’s infallibility or too many Royalist New Englanders waiving the Union Jack. Hopefully, next year or 10 years from now we will no longer see people in Iraq honoring Saddam.

[Arkinsaw]

and my right to point out that it is a symbol of oppression for millions of our fellow Americans.

Its your right to point out that this is your opinion, but that doesn't make it fact and many disagree.

[Arkinsaw]

Why is one persons view of the Confederate flag more equal than mine?

[dc27]

I want the guy fired who has the GORE2000 bumper sticker on his car. It really offends me at work.
On a side note, there are quite a few people at my work who proudly display the rainbow sticker on their office doors. I guess that is ok with you?

[samuel_adams_us]

A corporation comes under the same jurisdiction as everyone else in this country. If GM violated someone's right to free speach, well I am sure they would be sued also.

[Old Professer]

The issue here is one of rights, not slights.

[Old Professer]

After a couple of trips through the spin-cycle he'll dry out behind the ears.

[Old Professer]

Yes, but the Personal Truck was parked on his employers property.

The property is held in common with the people.

[JebBush2008]

Why is one persons view of the Confederate flag more equal than mine?

I grew up in the South and am proud of my Southern Heritage. However, I also realize that the South lost the War and with that loss came monumental change for the South. The same thing will happen to Iraq when they lose the War against the U.S. Monumental change will take place in Iraq but I will not feel comfortable with people in Iraq longing for their Heritage of Life with Saddam.

[Godebert]

"Slavery was the shame of our nation, and the Confederate flag is too closely associated with that shameful institution to be dissociated in the name of Southern heritage. There are other ways to celebrate Southern heritage without using that symbol."

Slavery is also closely associated with the US Flag and for much longer. Will you not display the Stars and Stripes when the marxist NAACP decides it too is a racist flag?

If you want to "celebrate" your supposed "Southern Heritage" without "using that symbol".....go ahead. I'll keep mine flying high. If you got a problem with that....tough sh#*!