AUBURN, Ala. (WDNews) — A former Auburn University lecturer has filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired for expressing her opinion online about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Candice Hale, who taught English at Auburn, said in her lawsuit that the school violated her free speech rights when it dismissed her following a Facebook post she made on Sept. 11.
In that post, Hale wrote, “I do not mourn oppressors. I do not show them empathy. I don’t give a damn about evil racist, fascist, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, mediocre, white men who claim to be Christian and then do everything Christ would not do on Earth.”
Auburn University confirmed last month that multiple employees had been fired over similar posts but did not specify how many.
The lawsuit names Auburn University President Christopher Roberts and several university officials, including Chris Hardman, Clarence JC Stewart, Scott Forehand, Jason Hicks, and Tami Poe, as defendants.
According to the lawsuit, Hale was questioned by university officials about her Facebook post and later placed on administrative leave. She claims she was later offered a severance agreement instead of reinstatement and barred from campus.
The lawsuit seeks Hale’s reinstatement, monetary damages, and a court ruling that Auburn violated her First Amendment rights. It also asks the court to prevent the university from punishing employees for constitutionally protected speech in the future.
