Georgia teacher sues school system over Charlie Kirk social media post punishment

Turning Point Action CEO Charlie Kirk at a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

This article was updated on Oct. 24 at 4:35 p.m.

Former Georgia teacher of the year finalist Michelle Mickens filed a federal lawsuit on Monday against her employer, saying she was “unconstitutionally punished” following a social media post after the shooting death of controversial political activist Charlie Kirk last month.

According to the complaint, Mickens, an English teacher in Oglethorpe County outside of Athens, had her First Amendment rights violated by the Oglethorpe County School System after expressing her thoughts and emotions on her Facebook page. She’s suing the school system and Oglethorpe County Superintendent Beverly Levine.