According to their supervisor, one of the men "stated that the flag was a symbol of oppression to the Black man." Miami-Dade County fire chief Dave Paulison responded by ordering all county trucks to fly the flag "as a symbol of unity, national pride, and patriotism," according to the September 20 Miami Herald.

Firefighters Terry Williams, William Clark, and James Moore were subsequently suspended with pay "pending an investigation." Twenty-nine-year-old Williams told the Herald he objected to the flag "as a Black man in this country, as someone being subjugated, as my ancestors who have been mistreated so." According to the paper, Williams said he and Moore removed a large flag from a fire truck they were about to board because it blocked their view and because of their "political view about the country's situation."

Clark, with 18 years in the fire department, said, "We are in no way insensitive to the feelings of those who lost loved ones. I, like the other two gentlemen, have friends and people who lost loved ones in the attacks on the World Trade Center." But, the firefighter continued, "This is hypocrisy. The American flag is supposed to mean freedom and justice and equality for all who are protected by the laws of this country. It is supposed to protect those who have a difference of opinion, except in this case."

Clark pointed out that their opinion of the flag in no way affected their ability to do their job. Moore, a firefighter for 20 years, also hit on the denial of democratic rights. Because of his opinions about the flag, he explained, "Right now, I can't go to work. No one will speak to me. You have freedoms here as long as it goes along with the program."
 
 
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