A part-time conductor for the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway in Chattanooga, Tennessee, was fired after making patriotic remarks and telling passengers who disagreed with him to "leave" on July 4th. The incident occurred on Independence Day and was captured on video by a passenger.
Jack Peterson, the conductor, stated, "To the very, very few Americans in here, happy Independence Day. To the rest of you, welcome to the greatest country on the face of the planet, and if you disagree, you can leave." The video of the incident was posted to TikTok.
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), which owns and operates the railway, confirmed Peterson's dismissal. Scott Wilson, CARTA's chief of staff, issued an apology to passengers and anyone affected by the video. "We have zero tolerance for language that demeans or excludes anyone who rides with us," Wilson said in a statement. "Every passenger who boards our railway deserves to feel respected and welcome."
Wilson further explained that Peterson's role was to welcome visitors, ensure safety, and play an audio recording about the railway's history, not to share personal views. "Rudeness toward our guests is the exact opposite of the conductor's role, and he was dismissed with cause the same day," Wilson stated, adding that the remarks were inconsistent with the organization's values and customer service standards.
Peterson was terminated under CARTA's Code of Conduct for "conduct unbecoming a CARTA employee" and violations of the employee handbook regarding public interactions. The railway, which has operated since 1887, is a popular tourist attraction.
Following the incident, CARTA's CEO reached out to Peterson to discuss the impact of his words and explore potential reemployment options. Peterson, who has since started a GoFundMe, expressed his belief that his firing was unjust and questioned the country's direction when a patriotic statement could lead to termination.