SPLC files complaint for Georgia teacher over Charlie Kirk comments
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The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit supporting a Georgia teacher who said “the world is a little safer without him,” referring to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September.
caseThe lawsuit, filed on behalf of Oglethorpe County High School teacher Michelle Mickens by the SPLC and the Georgia Association of Educators, claims her free speech rights were violated because she shared that the world was “safer” without Kirk.
In response to a post Mickens, a 2022 Georgia Teacher of the Year finalist, made about Kirk, she wrote, according to the lawsuit: “While I am saddened that we live in a country where gun violence is epidemic, the world is a little safer without him. I have never respected him, and he is part of the hatred and vitriol we hear so much of right now. Without him, I pray people can be more kind and tolerant of each other.”
Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder and CEO of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10 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,” referring to Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September. (skynesher/Getty Images)
On Monday, the SPLC and the Georgia Association of Educators filed a lawsuit claiming Mickens’ First Amendment rights were violated, saying: “In September 2025, Mickens was placed on indefinite leave and called for resignation for privately speaking outside of the workplace on matters of public concern on his personal social media account.”
The lawsuit alleges that a former classmate of Mickens’ from out of state took a screenshot of his post criticizing Kirk and spread it online, which was eventually shared with his school.
“The post did not disrupt his schooling or create an argument at work,” the complaint said. The statement is included. “The decision to remove Ms. Mickens from her classroom was the only disruption to the school’s operation. Nevertheless, Defendants placed her on an indefinite paid suspension for her constitutionally protected speech and secured her termination for her constitutionally protected speech, and although they did not file any notice of criminal charges, they made it clear that they planned 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, he was placed on indefinite leave and called to resign for privately speaking outside the workplace on his personal social media account on matters of public concern.” (Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images)
The SPLC is calling for Mickens to be reinstated to his teaching position, “compensation for lost wages and benefits, emotional distress, loss of reputation, and other damages caused by Defendants’ unlawful actions,” and reimbursement for attorneys’ fees and court costs.
The SPLC referred Fox News Digital to a statement from Michael Tafelski, the SPLC’s interim deputy legal director, who said Mickens was “targeted” for his personal beliefs.
“This case is about resisting increasing attempts to assert ideological control over public education,” Tafelski said. he said.
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The SPLC referred Fox News Digital to a statement from Michael Tafelski, the SPLC’s interim deputy legal director, who said Mickens was “targeted” for his personal beliefs.
“Ms. Mickens is being targeted not because she violated any policies or harmed students, but because her personal views expressed outside the classroom do not align with those in power,” Tafelski added. “This unconstitutional censorship of protected speech endangers a healthy democracy. We look forward to defending Ms. Mickens to ensure that she can continue to serve her students, as she has done for decades, without fear of politically motivated retaliation.”
Beverley Levine, superintendent of the Oglethorpe County School System, said in a statement to Fox News Digital: “The School District became aware of this lawsuit Monday night. Although many of the facts stated in the lawsuit and public statements on behalf of the plaintiff are inaccurate or incomplete, since the lawsuit has been filed in federal court, the District chooses to litigate the issues in that forum and not in the press or public. The District is confident it will prevail in defending against this lawsuit.”
