Man fired for wearing Armstrong bracelet at work

A show of support for cancer-stricken relatives led to the recent firing of a Nevada City lawyer's stepson.

Brian McKillip isn't interested in returning to his job at the Claim Jumpers restaurant, but his stepfather, attorney George Roberts, will stage a protest at the Roseville eatery next Friday.

Roberts plans to be there with his 85-year-old mother, Polly Roberts of Auburn, to protest the firing of McKillip for wearing a Lance Armstrong "LIVESTRONG" bracelet on the job.

McKillip started wearing the yellow bracelet - symbolizing solidarity with cancer survivors - to his bartending job last June when his stepfather was diagnosed with cancer.

"He wore it because of me," Roberts said. "He has two grandparents who have died of cancer. My parents in Auburn, who are 85, are each cancer survivors. This is a very real thing for him."

But a week ago, a new restaurant manager told McKillip the company had changed its policy and he would have to remove the bracelet, Roberts said. When McKillip refused, he was fired, his stepfather said.

Roberts said McKillip, who is expecting his first child in six months, is now working in construction and wouldn't return to the restaurant if he were offered his job back. McKillip couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.

Claim Jumpers, a chain of West Coast restaurants based in Irvine, promotes the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation on its Web site. A company spokesman said the bracelets are a safety hazard and violate a new uniform policy implemented a few months ago, but declined further comment.

Roberts has a different view of the policy.

"It is inconceivable that a corporation would take a stand that makes them look so bad in the eyes of so many American families who have people with cancer in their families," he said.

Roberts plans to participate in the Relay for Life June 4 in Grass Valley to help raise awareness of cancer, and he will be demonstrating at the restaurant with his mother next Friday.

"We will be on their property and we will not leave," he said.

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To contact staff writer George Boardman, e-mail georgeb@theunion.com or call 477-4236.

About the yellow band

• More than 46 million of the LIVESTRONG wristbands have been sold to support the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

• In 1996, Armstrong was already one of the world's best cyclists when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which had spread undetected throughout his body.

• He has now won six straight Tour de France championships and become an icon of strength in the face of cancer.

• For more on the foundation, visit www.laf.org on the Web.

Source: Lance Armstrong Foundation