In the weeks following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a wave of disciplinary actions has swept across Texas, particularly in public schools and higher education. As of Friday, the Texas Education Agency has received more than 350 complaints related to teachers and school staff who鈥檝e reportedly commented on Kirk鈥檚 killing.
Many of the complaints are tied to social media posts viewed as mocking or celebrating Kirk鈥檚 murder during a public event at Utah Valley University earlier this month.
State officials said the number of complaints doesn鈥檛 represent separate individuals. The scope of the investigation includes both certified educators and other school employees, the agency confirmed on Friday.
The complaints are currently under review by the state, but firings, suspensions and disciplinary reviews have already taken place independently. Some have already been fired, including an educator in who suggested Kirk鈥檚 death was the 鈥渃onsequences of his actions.鈥�
A Dallas teacher was reportedly put on leave after criticizing Kirk in posts to his personal Facebook account. An elementary teacher and a band director at Wylie ISD in North Texas after making comments about the assassination on social media. And just south of San Antonio, after online posts. Similar disciplinary actions have been seen throughout the state, including at .
Several teachers throughout the country have in response to their firings. As of Monday, none had been filed in Texas.
At the university level, Texas students have also faced discipline. A Texas Tech University student is no longer enrolled after toward another student holding a sign that read 鈥淩IP Charlie.鈥� The exchange ended in an arrest after the disciplined student swiped at the other鈥檚 鈥淢ake America Great Again鈥� cap. Days later, a Texas State University student .
Gov. Greg Abbott both incidents on .
Free speech advocates warn the disciplinary actions could have a chilling effect. Haley Gluhanich, with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, told The Texas Newsroom that the First Amendment protects even offensive, hateful or poorly timed speech 鈥� so long as it does not incite violence or rise to the level of a true threat.
鈥淭o the extent that there鈥檚 any punishment based solely on someone鈥檚 speech or expression, that鈥檚 when we start having a problem,鈥� Gluhanich said.
She added that the wave of investigations may cause students and educators to self-censor.
鈥淭hey are going to think, 鈥榦h, crap, someone鈥檚 getting investigated or in trouble for speaking their mind. I better not say what I want to say,鈥欌�� she said.
