PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jack Wei Lin, Former EMT from New York Fire Department (FDNY)
1:08:31
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151 sec
Jack Wei Lin, a former EMT with 14 years of service at FDNY, testified in opposition to Muriel Goode-Trufant's appointment as Corporation Counsel and urged support for Resolution 5 to reinstate workers fired due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Lin was terminated after his religious exemption was denied twice.
- Lin argued that the vaccine mandate unjustly terminated dedicated city workers who exercised their right to religious beliefs and bodily autonomy.
- He highlighted the inconsistency in current hiring practices, where new hires are not required to be vaccinated while experienced workers remain unemployed.
- Lin emphasized the emotional and financial struggles of hundreds of terminated city workers across various departments and called for justice and reinstatement.
Jack Wei Lin
1:08:31
Sure.
1:08:32
Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
1:08:34
My name is Jack Way Lin.
1:08:35
I'm a former EMT with the FDNY for over 14 years.
1:08:39
I was terminated from my position with the New York City Fire Department due to the COVID 19 vaccine mandate after my religious exemption was denied twice.
1:08:47
I'm here to voice my opposition to the appointment of Marielle Goode Truffant as corporation counsel and to urge the city council to support resolution 5 to reinstate workers like myself who are fired for refusing the vaccine mandate.
1:09:00
As an EMT, I dedicated myself to serving the people of New York City during some of their most vulnerable moments.
1:09:06
I worked in person during the pandemic with little when little was known about the virus.
1:09:11
Despite my dedicated service, I and many other city workers were fired simply for exercising our right to our sincerely held religious beliefs and bodily autonomy.
1:09:20
The appointment of miss Goode Truffant as corporation counsel is concerning because she has been part of the law department that has actively fought against reinstating workers like myself.
1:09:29
Her long tenure in the department suggests that she will continue to defend the city's unjust policies rather than seek to right this wrong.
1:09:37
I urge the city council to reject miss Goudreaufant's nomination and support resolution 5.
1:09:43
This resolution would require the reinstatement of city employees dismissed due to the vaccine mandate.
1:09:48
It's a common sense measure that recognizes the valuable contributions of dedicated public servants who are wrongfully terminated.
1:09:56
The current situation makes no sense.
1:09:58
While we remain out of work, city positions stand vacant, and new hires are not mandated to take the very same vaccines.
1:10:05
How can the city justify keep keeping experienced workers like myself out of our jobs when there's a clear need for our services?
1:10:12
Why the double standard with the DCAS waiver?
1:10:15
How can the city continue fighting reinstatement after doctor J.
1:10:19
Barm was exposed for having drug fueled orgies while he was pushing the mayor to kick us out of work?
1:10:24
Where is the justice?
1:10:26
I am not alone in this fight.
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Hundreds of city workers across various departments, firefighters, EMS, police officers, teachers, and more lost their livelihoods over this mandate.
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Many of us are still struggling financially and emotionally from this unjust termination.
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By supporting resolution 5 and opposing miss good Truffant's appointment, you have the opportunity to correct a grave injustice and bring valuable, experienced workers back to serve our city.
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I implore you to do the right thing and stand up for the rights of dedicated public servants who have made who have been wronged by this mandate.
1:10:59
Thank you for your time, and thank you for your consideration.
