CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has removed a member of the State Fire Commission following the person’s social media activity.
Martin Hess posted a photo of him on Facebook, in which he is wearing a t-shirt with a caption “All Lives Splatter.” The shirt also has an image of a car driving toward stick figures.
“Nobody Cares About Your Protest Keep Your Ass Out of the Road,” the shirt also reads.
Numerous protests have been held across the country over the past week following the death of George Floyd, in which demonstrators have marched in streets.
In a letter to Hess dated Thursday, Justice called the post inappropriate.
“I will not tolerate behavior like this from anyone representing the State of West Virginia,” he said.
Hess presides over the Gilmer County Volunteer Fire Department. He represented volunteer fire chiefs on the commission, and his term was set to expire on June 30, 2023.
Hess issued an apology Thursday evening on his Facebook page.
“Due to my post I have up set a lot of people and I am sorry for that by all means i did not mean up set any one a peaceful protest is fine as long as no one gets hurt we need to remember that all lives matter we are all the same color in gods eyes so I guess all I can do is say I am sorry and did not mean any disrespect to anyone or any group,” he posted.