$2 million and counting paid out in Charlie Kirk settlements

An estimated 600 individuals were fired or punished for criticizing conservative political activist Charlie Kirk or downplaying his death, with repercussions supported by the Trump administration. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression identified 14 First Amendment lawsuits in federal court brought by workers terminated for their comments about Kirk. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission settled with biologist Brittney Brown for $485,000 after she was fired for reposting a meme criticizing Kirk on her personal Instagram account. Ball State University agreed to pay $225,000 to settle a lawsuit for Suzanne Swierc, who was fired after posting about Kirk, despite private Facebook settings. Austin Peay State University agreed to reinstate and pay professor Darren Michael $500,000 after his firing, and a Tennessee county and sheriff paid Larry Bushart $835,000 after his arrest tied to a meme he shared about a vigil for Kirk.

"Kirk's death became a catalyst for a free speech debate after an estimated 600 individuals were fired or punished for criticizing the conservative political activist or downplaying his death - repercussions that were backed by the Trump administration."

"The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is aware of 14 First Amendment lawsuits in federal court brought by workers terminated for their comments about Kirk, not including those brought by workers terminated in the private sector or filed in state court."

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission settled a lawsuit with biologist Brittney Brown for $485,000 after she was fired for reposting a meme criticizing Kirk on her personal Instagram account. "All I wanted was my job back," Brown said in a statement, slamming the state agency for acting as Gov. Ron DeSantis' (R) "personal puppet show.""

"Although her Facebook settings were private, a screenshot of the post was taken and circulated publicly, including through Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita's 'Eyes on Education' Portal and other public-facing social media accounts, per an ACLU statement."

Read at Axios