A City of Lockport employee is no longer working for the city after posting a racist Facebook message.
Michael Furlong posted “Get rid of all the n----rs.” The message was in response to another post about NFL players taking a knee Sunday for racial and social injustice.
Mayor Anne McCarffrey’s Office was flooded with e-mails and calls about the post. It prompted an immediate investigation. Furlong apparently admitted to posting the message while at work. He was was a heavy equipment operator for the Lockport Waste Water Treatment Plant.
“That type of a comment certainly brought embarrassment to the city,” the mayor said.
Ironically the City of Lockport has been working on a social media policy, but doesn't have one in place at this time. With or without a policy, McCarffrey said this type of comments are unacceptable.
“We are not going to tolerate it. We have zero tolerance for this and we take it very seriously,” she said.
7 Eyewitness News found out Furlong is also a volunteer fireman with Rapids Volunteer Fire Company in Lockport. The company posted a press release on Facebook, disavowing the comment. It also says Furlong has been put on administrative leave, pending an investigation.
We went to Furlong’s home to see if he wanted to comment. No one came to the door.
