The American Federation of Teachers in Texas has filed a federal lawsuit against the state, challenging investigations into educators' social media comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The union argues the probes violate teachers' constitutional free speech protections.
The legal action, filed on Tuesday, targets the Texas Education Agency and its commissioner, Mike Morath. It centres on a letter sent to school superintendents on 6 September, instructing them to report educators who made what Morath called 'reprehensible and inappropriate' remarks about Kirk, who was shot and killed on 10 September while speaking at Utah Valley University.
The union claims the directive has sparked a sweeping crackdown. It describes four teachers who faced discipline, including termination, for personal social media posts criticising Kirk's views on race and immigration. The educators posted from personal accounts outside work hours without causing disruption, the union says.
According to the Texas Tribune, more than 350 complaints have been lodged, with 95 still under investigation. The lawsuit does not seek damages but asks the court to halt all related probes and order new guidance clarifying that districts need not report such comments.
