PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A longtime Portland firefighter says the bureau he served for more than two decades repeatedly discriminated against him because he is Black. He is now the third Black firefighter in roughly the past year and a half to sue the City of Portland for racial discrimination.
David Barron, a 25-year veteran of Portland Fire & Rescue, has alleged years of race-based discrimination and retaliation inside the bureau. He originally sought $3.25 million from the city but has now settled out of court.
Ex-Beaverton cop claimed he needed sexually explicit photos for official police work
According to court documents, Barron claims he was denied promotions, targeted with racist harassment, and punished after reporting discrimination. The lawsuit says bureau leadership ignored complaints and gave white firefighters advantages in the promotional process.
The city denied all allegations, arguing its actions were lawful and that many of Barron’s claims were unsupported, time barred, or based on hearsay, according to court documents…