Tennessee railway conductor fired after July 4 remarks

A part-time railway conductor at a popular Tennessee tourist attraction was fired after a video of his Independence Day remarks to passengers, which were criticized as exclusionary, spread widely online. The incident occurred on July 4 aboard the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway in Chattanooga, a historic funicular that attracts visitors from around the world.

The conductor, identified as Jack Peterson, addressed passengers over the loudspeaker during the holiday ride. In the video, posted to TikTok by passenger Nathan Scherer, Peterson is heard saying, "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." A passenger can be heard responding, "Shut up," and the video shows other riders appearing uncomfortable or recording the announcement.

Nathan Scherer and his father, Charles, who were visiting from Florida, reported the incident to the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA), which operates the railway. Charles Scherer said he forwarded the video to agency officials that same afternoon and received a response within about 15...