ACLU of Florida Statement on State Crackdown on Teachers' Speech

MIAMI, FL - In recent days, reports indicate that several Florida teachers are facing investigation and removal for commenting on Charlie Kirk’s death on social media.

In response to these reports, the ACLU of Florida shared the following statement:

"The ACLU of Florida condemns all forms of political violence. It has no place in a true democracy. Nor does unbridled trampling of constitutional protections. The First Amendment does not protect speech that is likely and intended to provoke immediate acts of violence, or speech that expresses a serious intent to commit a specific act of violence, but it does protect robust free expression, which includes criticism of the past words and actions of prominent public figures. Dissent, disagreement, and counterspeech that criticizes political views should not be confused with condoning or encouraging violence, and should not be subject to the retaliatory, unconstitutional ire of politicians, which only feeds hostility and division.

"In the wake of the killing of Charlie Kirk last week, many posted visceral reactions to social media that cover a wide range of perspectives and beliefs. Most people likely encountered speech they found despicable no matter where they fall on the political spectrum — that is the nature of a democracy where free speech is protected. While calling for further violence or condoning what happened to Charlie Kirk is wrong, many of the posts being cited for retaliation constitute core protected speech.

"Government actors calling for people to lose their jobs and livelihoods because they exercised their right to freely express political views that are controversial — a right Kirk himself exercised and encouraged for others — is alarming. Our state leaders should be focused on quelling tensions, not exacerbating them by stoking further division and punishing viewpoints with which they disagree.

"The basic freedom to talk about the biggest public issues of the day and to debate and even condemn the political views of others is fundamental to our democracy, and we stand ready to protect and preserve this essential First Amendment right guaranteed by our Constitution, even when we disagree."