Guy Gets Fired For Wearing Confederate Flag & Noose Shirt To Polls

Photo by Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

A Photo Of Him Went Viral

One Memphis, Mississippi guy tried to be cute at the polls with a racists shirt and it ended up costing him his job.

According to WREG, Clayton Hickey went to vote on Tuesday like any other registered citizen of America. Unfortunately, he went out his way to wear a T-shirt that said “Mississippi Justice” with a noose and a Confederate flag printed on it.

Another voter at the polling station snapped a pic of Hickey’s getup and shared it with social media. The pic went viral and by Thursday, Regional One Health confirmed that the man in the picture was their employee. They fired him after a thorough investigation.

In a statement, the hospital wrote:

“As of today, November 8, 2018, we have completed our investigation and what we learned led to the termination of the employee in question. Regional One Health holds employees to a high standard. We are committed to upholding our mission to provide compassionate care and exceptional services to all. This includes fostering a safe and protected work and care environment for all. Behaviors contrary to these principles are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

One of Hickey’s neighbor’s chatted with WREG and tried to vouch for him. “He came out and helped me do some stuff,” the neighbor said. “I don’t think he’s wanting to start trouble. He gets caught in a lot of trouble.”

The neighbor was supposedly referring to an incident years ago when Hickey resigned from the Memphis Police Department. Apparently, he was caught in a car with a 17-year-old girl and some alcohol.

“He just gets caught in all the wrong situations,” the neighbor said. When they were asked if they thought Hickey’s shirt was racist, the neighbor said, “It’s hard to say for me.”

Social media wasn’t hesitant to say the shirt was racist, however. Some called it “sickening,” while others labeled it “shameful.”

“They try to intimidate you to keep you away from the polls, and I think that’s the exact reason we need to go,” said the person who took the photo. “What makes you feel that comfortable? He knew what he was doing.”

Mississipi election officials said no laws were being broken when the man wore the shirt. According to them, the only clothing you can’t wear to the polls is clothing that shows a candidate’s face or name.