SPLC files complaint against Georgia teacher over Charlie Kirk’s comments

The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit supporting a Georgia teacher who said “the world is a little safer without him.” Charlie KirkTurning Point USA founder who was assassinated in September.

The the caseThe SPLC and the Georgia Association of Educators filed the lawsuit on behalf of Michelle Mickens, a teacher at Oglethorpe County High School, alleging The right to free speech Violated for posting that the world is “safe” without Kirk.

Responding to a post Mickens, who is a 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist, made about Kirk, she wrote, according to the lawsuit: “I feel sad that we live in a country where gun violence is an epidemic, but the world is a little safer without him. I didn’t respect him at all, and he’s a huge part of his language now, and I pray. That without him, people can be kinder and more tolerant of others.”

Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University during his American comeback tour.

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The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a complaint supporting a Georgia teacher who said “the world is a little safer without him,” Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was murdered in September. (Skynesher/Getty Images)

On Monday, the SPLC and the Georgia Association of Educators filed a lawsuit accusing Mickens. First Amendment Rights “In September 2025, she was placed on indefinite leave and urged to resign for engaging in private, workplace speech on her personal social media account on matters of public concern.”

The lawsuit alleges that a former classmate of Mickens’ from out of state took a screenshot of her post criticizing Kirk and then circulated it online, which was eventually shared with her school.

“This post did not disrupt her school or cause controversy at her workplace,” the complaint states. “The decision to remove Ms. Mickens from her classroom has been disruptive to the operation of the school. However, defendants have Indefinite Paid Suspension Her employment is yet to be terminated because of her Constitutionally protected speech And, although they gave no notice of the charges, they made it clear they wanted to terminate her.”

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On Monday, the SPLC filed a complaint alleging violations of Mickens’ First Amendment rights, saying that “in September 2025, she was placed on indefinite leave and urged to resign for engaging in private, workplace speech on matters of public concern on her personal social media account.” (Thomas Truschel/Phototheque via Getty Images)

The SPLC is seeking reinstatement of Mickens to her teaching position, “compensation for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, reputational damage and other damages resulting from the defendants’ unlawful actions,” and that Attorneys’ fees and court costs to be covered

The SPLC referred to a statement to Fox News Digital from Michael Tafelski, the SPLC’s interim deputy legal director, that Mickens was being “targeted” for her. Personal beliefs.

“This case is about resisting increasing attempts at ideological control Public educationTafelsky said.

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The SPLC referred to a statement to Fox News Digital from Michael Tafelski, the SPLC’s interim deputy legal director, that Mickens was being “targeted” for her personal beliefs.

“Ms. Mickens is being targeted because she has not violated any policy or harmed students, but her personal views — expressed outside of the classroom — do not align with those in power,” Tafelski added. “This unconstitutional censorship of protected speech threatens a healthy democracy. We look forward to defending Ms. Mickens so she can continue to serve her students, as she has for decades, without fear of politically motivated retaliation.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Oglethorpe County School System Superintendent Beverly Levine said, “The school district became aware of the lawsuit Monday night. While many of the facts set forth in the lawsuit and press statements on behalf of the plaintiffs are inaccurate or incomplete, the lawsuit has been filed in federal court and these issues are not being litigated in federal court. is that they will prevail to defend against this suit.”