Rally for Utica Fire Chief Brooks is Tuesday Night

A rally for Utica Fire Chief Russel Brooks will be held on Tuesday from 54 to 8 p.m. at Canal Park in North Utica.

The rally will be held at Canal Park, 215 Leland Avenue, from 4 to 8pm on Tuesday, JUNE 13.  Chief Brooks now has a health condition attributed to the 9/11disaster. Accordingly, full coverage of the cost of his treatment is available under a special national health fund for 9/11 Emergency Responders.  Recently, Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri stripped Chief Brooks of his Fire Chief title, denied him further use of a city-owned vehicle and other amenities of his office, and placed Brooks on administrative leave.

This action has triggered wide controversy. Facts in the matter are unclear. Information from Utica City Hall has been sparse. All residents of the Utica area, friends, and colleagues of Chief Brooks are invited to attend and participate in the rally. The purpose is: • To show community support  and to honor Chief Brooks for his 42 years of dedicated service and leadership to the people of Utica.

• To dramatize the respect Chief Brooks deserves, but did not receive from the Mayor of Utica.

•  To say thank you to all First Responders all across America.

Rally participants and attendees are encouraged to bring and donate non-perishable items for the local food pantry supported by Chief Brooks. Supporters are also encouraged to bring their own American flags and handmade signs to support our chief, plus their own chairs and blankets.