Legal Battle Unfolds Over Free Speech At UA & AU

Dr. Candice Hale, a former English lecturer at Auburn, and Kevin Courtwright, a former landscaper, allege they were wrongfully terminated from Auburn for exercising free speech. Hale, who also conducted online lectures for the University of Alabama and worked for UA’s Department of Gender and Race Studies, was terminated by both UA and AU. The pair drew extensive negative response for their controversial comments posted on social media about the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk.

Hale's post, written after Kirk's highly reported murder said, "I do not mourn oppressors. I do not show them empathy. I don't give a damn about evil racist, fascist, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, mediocre, white men who claim to be Christian and then do everything Christ would not do on Earth."

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The UA graduate's post drew reaction from Alabama Senior Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, a former Auburn head football coach, who demanded AU fire Hale and anyone else who made similar public comments.

Dr. Hale, who is known for her social activism, reacted to her termination at both schools on her Facebook and Instagram social media accounts. "[...] I wasn’t given the chance to say goodbye to my students. The abrupt separation from both universities left many of them confused and concerned, and the lack of closure disrupted our shared learning experience," Hale said. "Students deserve transparency and care, especially during transitions—and the way this was handled failed us both."

In a later post She wrote, "I’ve spent years pouring into students, into scholarship, into institutions that now treat me like a threat—for daring to name injustice. My teaching was never in question. My integrity was never compromised. But my voice? That was too powerful for them."

In her post she told readers she is fighting back by filing legal action. She has posted a "Go Fund Me" page online with a goal of raising $65,000 for personal expenses and her legal battle against the two schools.

Neither the University of Alabama nor Auburn University has responded to media inquiries about the lawsuits.

Legal experts suggest the two cases will test the boundaries of free expression and employer discipline at public universities.