Targeting Teachers, Targeting Democracy: Lee County’s Dangerous Precedent

On September 10, 2025, the death of far-right figure Charlie Kirk sparked an avalanche of political outrage and online vitriol. In Lee County, Florida, that outrage has taken a dangerous turn: multiple teachers are now facing investigations and potential terminations for comments they made on their personal social media accounts.

These educators — whose names we are withholding to protect them from further harassment — expressed personal views in the wake of Kirk’s death. Their posts were quickly screenshotted, shared, and weaponized online. Within days, Florida officials and Lee County administrators were escalating calls for retaliation.

Instead of protecting the constitutional rights of their employees, the School District of Lee County placed teachers on indefinite leave, notifying parents and staff before a fair investigation could be conducted. This premature communication fanned the flames of disruption — a disruption not caused by teachers’ speech, but by administrators bowing to political pressure.

The consequences are chilling. Educators in Lee County now face a climate where their jobs can be threatened for their personal expression, political beliefs, or even their identities. When teachers fear retaliation for speaking out, the entire school system suffers — students lose role models who are willing to stand up for truth, fairness, and democratic values.

Community response has been swift. More than 100 residents have signed petitions and submitted letters of support for the teachers, demanding their reinstatement and calling on district leaders to stop the political intimidation. Pro-democracy advocates argue that what is happening in Lee County is not an isolated dispute — it’s part of a broader, dangerous pattern of silencing dissent across Florida.

As one advocate put it: “If educators can be silenced, so can every one of us.”

The hearings for these educators begin this week. Their outcomes will not only shape the future of the individuals involved but also signal whether Lee County schools will uphold the values of free speech and democratic integrity — or allow political agendas to dictate who is allowed to teach.

CALL TO ACTION:

• Democracy4Ever will deliver its investigative report to Lee County Schools on Sept 24.

  
  

• A press conference will be held outside the district offices on Sept 25 at 9:30 a.m. Supporters are invited to attend in solidarity.