Hamden Firefighter Files Lawsuit, Claims Harassment Over Jehovah's Witness Religion

A Hamden firefighter is suing the town and the fire department, claiming that he has been forced to work in a hostile environment due to his Jehovah’s Witness religion, according to the New Haven Register.

Ray Pouncey, who filed his lawsuit in January, tells Kate Ramunni of the Register that he’s been dealing with a pattern of harassment ever since he wouldn’t march in the Memorial Day Parade several years ago.

Pouncey told Ramunni that as a Jehovah’s Witness he’s not allowed to march in a parade or do anything that can be construed as worshiping anything man-made, such as a flag, and as a result he declines in taking part in flag-raising ceremonies at the fire station.

Pouncey, an 18-year veteran of the department, also has filed three complaints with the state Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities that currently are being adjudicated, according to the Register.

Town officials wouldn’t comment due to the pending litigation.

Read the full story at the New Haven Register here.

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