A conductor on the historic Incline Railway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was fired after delivering a patriotic message to passengers on Independence Day. The conductor, Jack Peterson, made comments during a July 4 ride that were captured on video and went viral on social media. In the video, Peterson wished "the very, very few Americans" on board a happy Independence Day and added, "To the rest of you, welcome to the greatest country on the face of the planet, and if you disagree, you can leave."
The conductor's remarks sparked outrage, and within days, the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, which operates the Incline Railway, terminated Peterson's employment over the comments. The authority's Chief of Staff stated that the conductor's language was "demeaning" and that the organization has "zero tolerance" for such behavior.
The Chief of Staff apologized to passengers who experienced the incident and to those who saw the video and felt offended. The authority emphasized that every passenger deserves to feel respected and welcome on the railway, which has been in operation for 131 years and welcomes visitors from around the world.
After being fired, Peterson launched a fundraising campaign to support himself during this challenging time. The campaign has raised over $14,000 from more than 415 donors, with a goal of $24,000. Peterson expressed gratitude to those who have donated and to those who have offered support, saying that he understands that everyone works hard for their money.
