A City of Charlotte fire investigator is out of a job because of a Facebook post in the aftermath of the Ferguson, Missouri riots. Its the first time a Charlotte city employee has been fired over a posting on social media. An attorney for the investigator says the city overreached. <\/p>\n
So what are the First Amendment rights of public employees? <\/p>\n
City Manager Ron Carlee says its essential the public is confident that city employees will treat all people with dignity and respect. <\/p>\n
He believes Crystal Eschert violated that confidence shortly after police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. <\/p>\n
Eschert is white. She referenced reports of another police shooting near Ferguson that said a white person was the victim. She wrote on her personal Facebook page: <\/p>\n
Where is Obama? Where is Holder? Where is Al Sharpton? Where are Trayvon Martin's parents? Where are all the white guy supporters? So WHY is everyone MAKING it a racial issue?!? So tired of hearing its a racial thing. If you are a thug and worthless to society, its not race Youre just a waste no matter what religion, race or sex you are! <\/p>\n
Eschert did not identify herself as a Charlotte Fire Department employee, but she was fired in September after someone emailed the post to city officials. Carlee says it was discriminatory and inflammatory. <\/p>\n
Guy Charles has a different phrase for it. He co-directs Duke Universitys Center on Law, Race and Politics. <\/p>\n
She said something that at best was racially insensitive, but on a public issue on a private page, says Charles. Between the hand that shes holding and the hand that the citys holding, I think Id prefer to have her hand. <\/p>\n
If Eschert worked for a private employer, she wouldnt have a free speech case here since the First Amendment only applies to the government. But even though she has that protection, its not absolute. <\/p>\n
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Guy-Uriel Charles comments: Firing of Charlotte city employee over Facebook post highlights First Amendment debate<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A City of Charlotte fire investigator is out of a job because of a Facebook post in the aftermath of the Ferguson, Missouri riots. Its the first time a Charlotte city employee has been fired over a posting on social media Continue reading