Public comments on RHS teacher’s social media post at SBCSC meeting

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — At Wednesday’s South Bend Community School Corporation board meeting, several people spoke out about a local Riley High School teacher who was listed on Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita’s "Eyes on Education" website after the teacher posted a comment on social media regarding the death of political activist Charlie Krik.

“I get strongly emotional about private opinions because these are constitutional rights, the right to privacy and the right to free speech. As long as you’re not defaming somebody, slandering… inciting violence, hurting anybody… I think you have the right to have an opinion,” said South Bend resident Diane Humphrey. 

Around the same time of the meeting, Indiana Governor Mike Braun posted to social media, which said while the First Amendment must be protected, calls for political violence are not freedom of speech, reading in part, “The Secretary of Education has the authority to suspend or revoke a license for misconduct and the office will review reported statements of K-12 teachers and administrators who have made statements to celebrate or incite political violence.”