US EditionTennessee Teacher Fired over Charlie Kirk Posts Files Free Speech Lawsuit
Susannah O'Brien claims wrongful termination for social media posts after Charlie Kirk’s assassination and seeks reinstatement and damages in her lawsuit against the school district.
- Susannah O'Brien, former Roy Waldron Elementary teacher, filed a federal lawsuit on Oct. 8 alleging Rutherford County Schools wrongfully terminated her, naming the Rutherford County Board of Education and Schools Director James Sullivan.
- After being placed on leave in mid-September, O'Brien was fired Oct. 1 by Schools Director James Sullivan following two 'friends only' Facebook comments about Charlie Kirk.
- The suit says the Facebook posts described as 'friends only' criticized lowering flags after Charlie Kirk's death, were deleted earlier this month, and did not disrupt Susannah O'Brien's classroom.
- The lawsuit demands a jury trial and names the Rutherford County Board of Education and Schools Director James Sullivan, seeking reinstatement with back pay, benefits, attorneys' fees, and punitive damages.
- Ken Paulson of the Free Speech Center said, `First Amendment law holds that a public employee can only be dismissed for speech relating to public matters when that speech substantially disrupts the workplace`, amid local reactions and recent removal of 160 books, the lawsuit claims.
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Carolina Public Press
Carolina Coast OnlineWhy are some NC law enforcement officers under fire for exercising free speech?
Some NC law enforcement officers who spoke out on personal social media accounts after the death of Charlie Kirk have faced controversy. Why are some NC law enforcement officers under fire for exercising free speech? is a story from Carolina Public Press, an award-winning independent newsroom. Our breakthrough journalism shines a light on the critical overlooked and under-reported issues facing North Carolina’s more than 11 million residents. Pl…
Teacher fired over Charlie Kirk posts files free speech lawsuit
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A longtime teacher in Rutherford County, Tennessee is suing her school district, claiming she was fired for what she shared online. The federal lawsuit alleges her termination violated her First Amendment rights. Educator Susannah O'Brien was dismissed earlier this month after sharing two Facebook posts about conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September. One post criti…
Tennessee teacher fired over Charlie Kirk posts files free speech lawsuit
RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — A longtime teacher in Rutherford County, Tennessee is suing her school district, claiming she was fired for what she shared online. The federal lawsuit alleges her termination violated her First Amendment rights. Educator Susannah O'Brien was dismissed earlier this month after sharing two Facebook posts about conservative commentator and activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed in September. One post criti…
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