Wheeling Pulls Uniformed Police, Fire Employees From ‘Celebrate Freedom’ Event
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WHEELING - Wheeling city officials decided Friday they will not permit uniformed city police or fire department members to participate in a first responders appreciation event next week organized by the Ohio County Republican Party.
The issue for those officials is with a Dinesh D'Souza documentary that will be shown at the end of the event.
The first responders and some city-owned vehicles were set to be outside Wheeling Park's White Palace on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the conclusion of "The Freedom Train," a procession through Wheeling intended to "celebrate freedom and thank first responders."
But also on the agenda is a scheduled showing of the D'Souza documentary "2000 Mules," which alleges massive voter fraud occurred during the 2020 election.
"I have no issue with city employees attending, but I take issue with them taking part in an event in uniform that is showing a documentary for political purposes," Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott explained. "We decided it was not appropriate for them to appear in uniform."
He added that while the city supports its first responders, the documentary includes a "highly partisan message that is divisive."
Elliott said the documentary also appears to be supportive of attacks on law enforcement officers occurring during the Jan. 6 attacks on the U.S. Capitol.
"Since I’ve been with City Council, we have been a consistent proponent for first responders," he continued. "We have worked to provide new buildings, vehicles, and pay raises to give the men and women in uniforms the tools they need and have them at their disposal.
"We have made first responders a priority. I don't want anyone to conclude we don't respect first responders."
City Manager Robert Herron said he "really appreciates the thought" behind an appreciation event for first responders, and that the Republican Party is interested in recognizing them.
"But the city is a non-partisan organization," he said. "The movie being advertised indicates a portion of the event is political in nature, and that is not a type of event city employees should participate in while on duty."
Ohio County GOP leadership was disheartened by the news Friday. It now encourages all volunteer fire and emergency crews, as well as doctors and nurses and other first responders to turn out for the event.
"We can dedicate a whole month for pride activities in our city, but I guess we cannot have an appreciation event for first responders," said Carlee Dittmar, vice chairman of the Ohio County Republican Party.
She noted that the police and firefighters were informed they would not be inside the hall of champions for the documentary showing, and that their participation would be limited to outside to keep their participation non-political.
Dittmar said she had attempted to reach Herron on Friday, but that he hadn't called back.
Supporters of local emergency personnel in their vehicles are being asked to gather at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 in the parking lot at Lowe's in South Wheeling to start the "Freedom Train."
From South Wheeling, the procession will continue to Generations in Fulton to pick up more vehicles, then along National Road to the former Chinese Buffet lot, and to the parking lot at the St. Angelus Center and St. Michael Church.
The caravan will end at Wheeling Park's White Palace. The showing of 2000 Mules is set for 7 p.m. A $10 donation will get the guest admission to the documentary and free popcorn.