Texas American Federation of Teachers sued State education officials appeared in federal court Tuesday, arguing that the decision to scrutinize and investigate hundreds of educators for their comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September violated free speech rights.
“Somewhere, somehow, our state's leaders have lost their way. Some high-ranking Texas politicians and bureaucrats believe it is good for their careers to trample on the free speech rights of educators,” Zeph Capo, president of the Texas AFT, said in a statement. “They decided that a few cheap points were worth the unfair punishments, doxxing and death threats directed at them. Texas teachers“
More than 350 teachers have been investigated over their alleged comments about Kirk after his death, according to the lawsuit, which names the Texas Education Agency and its Commissioner Mike Morath.
“These teachers were punished solely for their statements, regardless of whether the posts in any way disrupted school operations,” the lawsuit states. “In many cases, Texas AFL members have posted their messages to online profiles or pages that are “private” and can only be viewed by individuals specifically approved by the account owner.”
The complaint refers to a September 12 letter from Morath in which he allegedly stated that he would link to “vile” posts about Kirk to the education agency's investigations unit and urged superintendents to do the same.
A Texas teachers union on Tuesday filed a federal lawsuit against state officials, claiming hundreds of teachers were wrongly investigated for comments they allegedly made about the death of activist Charlie Kirk, violating their free speech rights (AFP via Getty Images)
“While the exercise of free speech is a fundamental right with which we are all blessed, it does not provide carte blanche authority to glorify or incite violence against those who share different beliefs and viewpoints,” the letter said.
Independent has reached out to TEA for comment.
Teachers in at least 16 states have been fired, suspended or reprimanded for social media comments about Kirk. according to EducationWeek.
Critics have faced intense political pressure since Kirk's shock killing during a September forum on the Utah State campus.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi called to prosecute anyone who utters “hate speech” about Kirk's deatha category largely protected by the First Amendment unless it involves direct incitement to violence. She went so far as to suggest private businesses may be held liable for refusing to print Kirk-related fliers despite recent Supreme Court rulings that businesses can refuse customers for First Amendment reasons such as religion.
Bondi later responded to her comments.
Meanwhile, late night host Jimmy Kimmel was briefly taken off air after his critical comments about the political dynamics following Kirk's death drew the ire of Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr.
