California has laws that prohibit employers from firing workers over their political views but employers can restrict speech if it’s disruptive to the workplace.
At least 20 teachers in California’s K-12 schools are facing disciplinary action after they made derogatory comments about right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk in the wake of his assasination last month.
Most of the disciplinary investigations are based on comments that teachers made on social media during non-working hours, a possible violation of their right to free speech, said David Goldberg, president of the California Teachers Association, the state’s largest teachers union.
“People are ready to pounce on educators. The goal is to sow fear,” Goldberg said. “It’s part of a larger attempt to bring the culture wars into schools and silence teachers.”
Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, in what officials described as a political assassination. Following his death, hundreds of people who criticized Kirk’s ideology have been fired, disciplined or doxxed — had their private information posted online to stoke harassment.
Other states have seen far more teachers fired or disciplined for Kirk-related comments. In California, state laws protecting free speech and strong union contracts have so far kept the numbers relatively low. Texas, for example, is investigating at least 280 teachers for criticizing Kirk.
In California, one of the incidents happened in the Pacheco Union School District in Redding, where a teacher allegedly posted, “You reap what you sow, Mr. Kirk” on their personal social media account. The district has not named the teacher. Other news organizations have published his name but CalMatters was unable to independently confirm it.
Earlier, the teacher had also allegedly posted a video of Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene with the words, “Will someone please kill her?” The teacher was placed on paid leave and then the school board fired him.
“We are committed to ensuring that our classrooms and our entire school community remain a positive and secure place for all students to learn and grow,” Superintendent Jakob Fuller wrote on the school’s website. “The district does not condone violence in any form and is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all.”
Another incident occurred at the Dry Creek Unified School District, a TK-8 district in Roseville, near Sacramento. A middle school teacher apparently called Kirk “a piece of s—,” among other things, on their personal social media account, prompting a swift backlash from parents and others.
The district would not confirm the teacher’s identity, and while it has been reported by other news organizations, CalMatters was unable to independently confirm it. The teacher, who did not respond to emails from CalMatters, is on paid leave until the district completes an investigation.
“The post is both unprofessional and concerning,” the district said in a statement. “The personal comments allegedly made by the employee do not reflect the values, standards, or mission of the district. We are taking this matter seriously.”
Jonathan Zachreson, a conservative education activist in California, said he’d like to see accountability for the teacher and condemnation from the union. A board member for a different Roseville school district, Zachreson has been an outspoken advocate for K-12 policies notifying parents if students identify as LGBTQ, a policy Kirk also championed. Dry Creek board members could not comment on the case because the investigation is ongoing.
Zachreson said incidents such as these should be handled on an individual basis, depending on the nature of the comments and how private the posts were. But if the Dry Creek district’s investigation concludes that the teacher did write that comment, the teacher should be fired, he said.
From Cal Matters
Public school teachers have got to be some of the most Marxist people in the country.
It seems that this teacher has reaped what he sowed. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
It’s “What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.” Lots of people got that wrong, just like many people say, “I could care less, ” when what they mean and should say is, “I couldn’t care less.”
Public school teachers must have requirements of responsibility, and good manners and good morals, and to responsibly lead and serve as good Role Models for young children. Califoirnia, in today’s evil and irresponsible society, has fallen far below normalcy and competence in public school teachers and education. Any school teacher who is an irresponsible misfit lacking manners and morals, who publicly expresses support and encouragement for radical views and violence, should be fired — and possibly investigated by police, for radical activities.
No, it’s not okay to encourage violence. I abhor many of the policies of Governor Newsom. That said, I do not wish him or his family harm. Love your enemies and pray for them, as our Lord taught us.
And, don’t elect to positions of power those who promote immoral and evil behavior. Fight with ballots, not bullets. And, of course, pray.
Sometimes bullets are needed. Just War is a teaching of the church. Self defense is a teaching of the church.
If you would fire a policeman who said on his private social media account that certain criminals ought to be shot, why should a teacher get a pass? In my (distant) youth, I recall reading liberal columnists from the Jim Crow South of their youth recalling teachers who laughed or cheered at the deaths of JFK or MLK. They denounced it as disgusting. So is this.
The First Amendment protects them from prosecution, but does not guarantee them a government job.
Please no more Charlie Kirk stories. It’s old news by now.
Reply to No more. Please: Charlie Kirk stories will never be old news. Kirk would have been a future President.
On Mon. Oct. 6th, yesterday, I got a mail-in ballot for the Nov. election. It had just one item to vote for– Gov. Gavin Newsom’s wrongful Prop. 50. I happily voted “No” and dropped it off at the post office.
California lawmakers just made a peculiar Indian pagan Hindu holiday called “Diwali” a state holiday. Ridiculous! If lawmakers wanted to have a multi-cultural holiday– why not Chinese New Year? We have many Asian immigrants. This new state holiday should be challenged in court and repealed. I am not going to celebrate it. Neither will most people.
I just read an article alerting the public to a cruel and destructive trend of the sick, liberal feminists– attacking traditional marriage, motherhood, and moms who choose to stay at hone and raise their children. Sick, liberal feminists are calling these wonderful women “brainwashed Nazi tradwives,” led around by the nose, by Pres. Trump and his MAGA supporters. These sick, poisoned people need tons of good, common sense! They are really out of touch with reality.
I have read some horrifying news stories of bodies of dead babies found in toilets and garbage dumpsters, due to young women taking the deadly Abortion Pills. With surgical abortions, the patients do not handle the remains of their dead children. Our state and federal governments need to totally put an end to Child Murder by Abortion!! Thousands of young women are daily taking Abortion Pills– doing whatever they can do, with the remains of their dead babies. Evil! And a huge potential health hazard in our society.
What a terrible problem exists in our legal system, with a convicted child killer released early “for good behavior” after not even serving half of his 20-ywar sentence! He was convicted of assault– but not murder– due to ‘insanity.” A week after his “early release,” the child nurderer was found living next-door to an elementary school, his property separated from the school only by a fence! His arrest was due to failure to register as an ex-felon, in Florida. I think that insane convicted child killers should NEVER be released from prison. Gavin Newsom has no respect for the law either, nor concern for the safety of families and children. Our society desperately needs to get rid of all the sick–and dangerous– liberals.
The State of California has ignorantly degraded and tarnished the historical contributions of explorer Christopher Columbus, who sailed to America, trying to re-name the day, Oct.12, for “indigenous peoples.” This is not their day to celebrate their achievements. This is the day to celebrate the achievements of Christopher Columbus! Schoolchildren should all be taught History correctly. Shame on the ignorant, sickening California lawmakers and governor, for their ignorant “cancel culture!” You cannot “erase” History. No historical figure is “perfect,” nor are any of our lawmakers’ lives “perfect”– especially, Gov. Gavin Newsom! There needs to be a law against “cancel culture,” that mandates telling History correctly, and properly honoring them for outstanding accomplishments.
I just saw in the news, that President Trump just signed a nationnal proclamation, proclaiming the second Monday in October, as Colmbus Day– once again. Great. Next year, our State calendars will all designate “Columbus Day,” on our calendars, appropriately. No more “cancel culture” on that one. Now, we have to get rid of the pagan Indian Hindu “Diwali Day,” maybe by the help of Trump supporters.
Gov. Gavin Newsom just signed the treacherous AB 495– against warnings of many concerned organizations. This means that any informal “caregiver” — without verification, or parental notification and approval– can make even serious medical and educational decisions for a child. Parental rights are severely undermined by this new law. Californians need to get rid of Gov. Gavin Newsom ASAP!