2 days ago
CityLink suspends driver after politically charged T-shirt sparks controversy
PEORIA — CityLink transit company has suspended an employee and altered its casual dress policy after a driver wore a politically charged T-shirt while operating one of the company's buses.
A photo circulating on social media on Aug. 15 depicted a CityLink driver wearing a T-shirt that read "Alligator Alcatraz," referring to the nickname given to a Florida immigration detention center.
The photo garnered dozens of comments across multiple social media platforms. Reactions ranged from surprise, shock, disagreement and support for the driver, who was placed on a three-day suspension from CityLink, said general manager Kofi Kisseh.
"We want people to feel comfortable getting on our buses," Kisseh said. "We don't want to be put in a category that we condone such behavior."
As a result of the incident, Kisseh said, the casual dress policy has been suspended indefinitely, requiring drivers to wear only CityLink-issued uniforms for the time being.
"This is an unfortunate development, and this is a behavior that, as an organization, we don't condone," Kisseh told the Journal Star. "Whatever needs to be done to correct it is what I'm working on now, and I'm also looking at measures to ensure this doesn't happen again."
CityLink wrote in a Facebook post on Aug. 16 the company had become aware the previous day of an unnamed bus operator wearing a shirt featuring political messaging while on duty. Kisseh did not say how the company became aware of the photo, but confirmed its validity.
"Like many organizations, our dress code is more relaxed on Fridays, a policy that has consistently included our bus operators," CityLink wrote. "This matter would be addressed appropriately without delay. Among other things, we would be implementing measures to ensure that this behavior, which is already prohibited in our casual Friday policy, does not happen again."
What is 'Alligator Alcatraz?'
The shirt references a nickname, "Alligator Alcatraz," given to an immigrant detention center formally known as the South Florida Detention Facility in Ochopee, Florida.
The facility opened in July, and has been lauded by members of the Republican Party, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, as a form of assistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's mass deportation efforts. The moniker refers to Florida's alligator population and the former maximum-security federal prison in San Francisco, California.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier used the phrase "Alligator Alcatraz" in a post on X announcing the detention center, which has sparked criticism from human and environmental rights advocates who allege human rights violations, harsh conditions and environmental concerns due to the center's location in the Florida Everglades.
What is CityLink's dress policy?
While CityLink drivers must wear official uniforms Monday through Thursday, the casual Fridays policy is meant to allow drivers a day to dress comfortably and wear what they want within reason, Kisseh said.
Kisseh said drivers are required to report to dispatch before starting their shifts to receive tasks for the day and ensure their clothing is appropriate for the public. CityLink's policy already prohibits dress with divisive messaging — not only political, he said, but anything that could cause rifts, such as promoting a specific sports team.
On Aug. 15, Kisseh said, the dispatcher to whom the driver reported saw the shirt, but did not know what "Alligator Alcatraz" meant and did not flag the clothing as against policy. "Looking at the amount of drivers we have on the road," he said, "it's so easy for some of these things to be hit-or-miss."
However, Kisseh said the outrage is justified and he does not want any CityLink rider to feel unwelcome because of what a driver may wear.
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Kisseh said the incident is "unacceptable" and unprecedented in his experience with CityLink.
"The damage has already been done," he said, "but you don't want people to have that impression that we don't give a damn when people behave this way. We sure do."
After the photo was posted, Kisseh said the driver was placed on a three-day suspension to allow CityLink to investigate the matter and determine how to move forward, as well as to protect the driver from threats or attacks.
Kisseh said CityLink will follow its outlined procedures for policy violations, and the incident is not grounds for immediate termination. Similar investigative measures would have been taken for any shirt considered divisive, he said.
Kisseh showed the Journal Star an internal memo sent out to CityLink staff and drivers Aug. 18. It detailed the issue and next steps.
"As a result of the supposed political message on a shirt worn by one of our operators on this date, there were numerous online responses and comments from the community," the memo said. "Most of these comments have rightfully raised concerns about the fact that, as a public transit organization, CityLink must refrain from any such impressions that deviate from promoting our goal of safe, efficient and exceptional customer service to our community."
In the memo, Kisseh also said all CityLink employees are to be treated with respect, and emphasized the company's "zero-tolerance" policy for discrimination or harassment.
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"This is a public organization, and what we do here, we run on what support we get form the community in terms of funding and all of those things," Kisseh said. "So you don't want anything that will alienate any group. Everyone should feel comfortable getting on our buses."
CityLink staff and drivers likely will undergo sensitivity training and education moving forward, Kisseh said, as many of the driver's colleagues and CityLink staff also took offense to the shirt's messaging.
"Whatever lessons we're learning from this to make sure that it doesn't happen again," Kisseh said, "I'm taking those things seriously."
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria bus system suspends driver for 'Alligator Alcatraz' T-shirt
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