University of Kansas: Anti-NRA Tweet Results in Professor's Suspension
Cases
University of Kansas
Case Overview
On September 16, 2013, a few hours after shootings at Washington, D.C.'s Navy Yard, University of Kansas Professor David Guth posted a tweet to his personal Twitter account condemning the National Rifle Association, saying "Next time, let it be YOUR sons and daughters. Shame on you. May God damn you." Following substantial public pressure and criticism, including from Kansas state legislators, KU placed Guth on administrative leave on September 20. FIREwrote to Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little on September 22, pointing out that Guth's expression was fully protected and that a university investigation into his speech on the basis of its content was not acceptable. Chancellor Gray-Little released a statement to the KU community on September 23, clarifying that Guth's suspension was not related to the content of his expression, but defended his suspension by claiming it was necessary to prevent further "disruption."