Suzanne Swierc, a former director of health promotion and advocacy at Ball State University, will receive $225,000 to settle her lawsuit against the institution. The university fired Swierc in September 2023 for a private Facebook post criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.
Key Takeaways
A former Indiana university employee will receive $225,000 after being fired for criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Facebook.
- Suzanne Swierc settled lawsuit against Ball State University
- Firing cited as violation of free-speech rights
- Similar cases resulted in larger settlements elsewhere
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) represented Swierc and argued that her firing violated constitutional rights, as she was speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern. The settlement reflects the university's acknowledgment of this violation according to Stevie Pactor, an ACLU attorney in Indiana.
Ball State University President Geoffrey Mearns defended the initial decision to fire Swierc, stating that her post caused significant disruption and damage to the school's reputation. According to Mearns, backlash over Swierc's post threatened student enrollment and fundraising efforts. The university claimed that the settlement payment was less than what fighting the lawsuit would have cost.
Swierc is not alone in facing repercussions for social media posts about Kirk. Earlier this year, a Florida state agency settled a similar case for $485,000, and Austin Peay State University reinstated a professor with a $500,000 settlement after he was fired for posting a news headline related to Kirk.
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