The state’s largest teachers union came in for sharp criticism on Wednesday after it asked school districts to defend educators from bullying and harassment for speaking out on the death of the conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In a joint statement, Max Page and Deb McCarthy, the president and vice president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, argued that the “ongoing campaign by extreme-right conservatives to discredit and defund public education has grotesquely exploited the shooting death of Charlie Kirk to launch attacks against people commenting on this public figure’s beliefs and statements.”
Kirk, a 31-year-old father of two, was shot to death last week while speaking to students at Utah State University.
The speaker and activist, who held polarizing views on such issues as gun violence reduction and transgender rights, was rapidly hailed as a free speech icon by allies on the right, including President Donald Trump.
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Some of those who took issue with Kirk and his views also celebrated his death on social media, sparking a fierce backlash.
A teacher at Wachusett Regional High School was placed on leave last week for making “inappropriate comments” online about Kirk. A day later, another employee at the same school district was similarly placed on leave, MassLive reported.
The two union leaders appealed to districts to “not take actions that validate accusations by extremists against educators. We urge administrators to consider the legal and contractual rights of union members and to give equal weight to justice, due process and caution.”
Massachusetts Republicans, who have been mourning Kirk’s death, issued sharp rebukes.
“Any expression of joy over an assassination is abhorrent,” Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy said. “It’s indefensible that the Teachers’ Union is defending individuals who celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
In a statement to Boston 25 News, state Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale said that Kirk’s death should be “a moment of reflection about political dialogue, but instead, the Massachusetts Teachers Association has chosen to defend educators who posted despicable comments that create a safety threat.”
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“Students already fearful about expressing their conservative beliefs now must worry that the state’s largest teachers association will further inflame partisan divisions,” Carnelvale continued. “We should all condemn the horrific murder of a father whose only crime was speaking with others who held alternative views.”
On Wednesday, Page and McCarthy said the union would “ensure that its members are treated fairly and will advocate for their safety and the safety of their public schools, colleges and all of our students.”
“District and campus leadership, too, have an obligation to keep everyone safe. We cannot forget that on the same day that Kirk was shot, two students at a high school in Colorado were shot by a classmate,” they continued. “It is imperative that schools and colleges play a role in shaping a comprehensive strategy to mitigate this climate of violence.”