In the aftermath of the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, several individuals on the left who lost their jobs over pro-assassin remarks are pursuing free speech lawsuits.
Larry Bushart, a former police officer from Tennessee and self-identified leftist “keyboard warrior,” reportedly had police visit him following his social media posts that mocked Republicans mourning Kirk. A news outlet noted this response.
Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems allegedly sent police to Bushart’s residence due to concerning social media activity that might have been seen as threats aimed at local high schools.
Bushart’s online actions included criticizing a local candlelight vigil for Turning Point USA founders he viewed on Facebook.
According to sources, Bushart shared “multiple memes expressing his discontent” over what he perceived as excessive emphasis on Kirk’s assassination.
One meme featured a photo of former President Donald Trump with phrases like “We have to get over it” and “This seems relevant today…”
The following day, police showed up at Bushart’s home, with Sheriff Weems stating that the memes had sparked “mass hysteria” in the area, with residents potentially interpreting them as threats of future violence against a local high school.
Bushart was arrested and held for 37 days on a bail set at $2 million, during which he lost his job in medical transportation, missed his wedding anniversary, and was absent for the birth of his grandchild.
Ultimately, due to community backlash, prosecutors dropped the charges against him, and now the retired individual is suing with the support of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Expression (FIRE).
“I knew I wasn’t threatening anyone, and we weren’t even talking about local schools or anything like that,” Bushart explained, emphasizing that the discussion was focused on Kirk’s death and the memorial service thoughts surrounding it.
While one of Bushart’s memes has been explained by FIRE and NPR, the exact contents of his other posts are less clear.
David Rubin, an attorney for FIRE, noted awareness of at least 13 lawsuits connected to individuals fired over “Kirk-related speech.”
Recently, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) initiated a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency for mandating that superintendents report “inappropriate material” shared by teachers regarding Kirk after his assassination.
The agency is said to have received 354 complaints so far, with 95 still pending investigation. The union claims that this reporting requirement created a “wave of retaliation.”
As reported by other news outlets, the reaction from some leftist individuals, including those in educational and healthcare settings, sparked outrage following Kirk’s murder. Many expressed troubling enthusiasm for the incident, with some urging the public to remain indifferent.
For countless individuals, this display revealed a significant deterioration in societal norms, exposing a distressing reality to the public.
The online reactions ultimately resulted in investigations, suspensions, and the termination of several professionals across the nation.
