NY Fire Chief Refuses To Remove ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ Sign

Utica Fire Chief Russell Brooks is facing both praise and opposition after hanging a particular sign outside of the Utica Fire Department. Not all in the community approve of the message, even though the story has gained national attention. The sign reads 'Happy Birthday Jesus, We Love You'. Click HERE to view the sign and watch news coverage.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group that advocates for the separation of church and state, has written Brooks and the Dept to remove the sign. Brooks defended the sign...

Many of them probably after 9/11 got closer to God and felt like reaching out and doing something, and they put the sign up. If you have a sign like this and it's displayed with other Christmas decorations, it's completely legal. So we've been displaying it for years. I think the goal of these organizations is to try to intimidate you.

 

Brooks says that he's received many positive responses about the sign and will not take it down. He goes on to say that they contacted the Thomas More Law Center and were told they were within their legal right to display the sign Read more HERE