Free Speech for All?

If we want our rights, we must stand up for them. We who live in housing are not alone in the struggle to enjoy our rights, including the right to speak our minds without fear of retaliation. The environment in which we live today is so full of anger, fear, retaliation, and revenge that to express an opinion can lead to a firestorm of efforts not only to suppress our speech, but to condemn us and even lead to sanctions and harassment.

Democracy in America depends on vigorous debate, debate that we trust can lead to a better understanding of issues and inform our decisions, and enable us to adapt to change. We have always disagreed with each other while often finding it possible to compromise.

We come to regret it when we suppress ideas and demonize others.

Teachers are especially vulnerable, because we recognize how important it is for the next generations to understand the world, our society, and the challenges and opportunities they will face.

What are the rights of a teacher to express an opinion in the classroom or even in the community or on social media? Shall we allow the school administration to censor speech or to suspend or fire a teacher? What is the red line for a teacher or a government employee in public speech outside the workplace on politically sensitive topics?

Even while condemning the murder of a public figure, the hero of adherents of one political and cultural ideology, people hold very strong opinions, both for and against what the public figure represented.

In Peabody, two teachers who are alleged to have expressed their views about such a murder or the ideology of the victim, Charlie Kirk, have been investigated by the Peabody Schools. Were social media postings that were considered politically incorrect trouble for the poster?

Matthew Keen, a Peabody parent of a student at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, claimed teachers have been removed from schools allegedly due to political speech made outside the classroom. Keen wrote,

“The lack of communication, combined with the perception that the district is punishing staff for their views, leaves me profoundly uneasy about the environment in Peabody schools. How can families feel secure when staff disappear without explanation, and when leadership appears to foster a culture of fear rather than communication?” —Amanda Lurey, item live

One teacher resigned, the other was suspended. Peabody teachers have a union and a contract that specifies their behavior in the workplace, and may place some constraints on their public actions. According to members of teachers unions, the suspensions or sanctions against the two teachers were not warranted.

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, protesters assembled at the courthouse in Peabody Square to assert the right of teachers to freedom of speech. The demonstrators were from several teachers’ unions, joined by several Democratic leaders, and citizens of Peabody. Their demand was “Free Speech for teachers.”

It is vital that we protect the right of each person to speak without fear of retaliation, job loss, or harassment. It is vital for the health of society that we hear each other, resolve our differences, and find a way to move on together. This right must apply to even the least of us: those who are poor, New Americans and immigrants, and tenants; and forget not the Native Americans.

We are all protected or no one is protected.

As for the Peabody school system, unless there proves to be a valid, legitimate reason for the school administration to suspend or sanction the specific speech of these cases, they would seem to be acting to suppress opinions and beliefs. If so, are they setting an example of how to bully others? How will this impact the teaching staff and the students?

At the same time, the school administration has the duty to intervene to prevent bullying and possibly also to provide appropriate protection from, for example, hate speech and speech that encourages violence.

What rights does an employer such as the Peabody school system to limit the speech of a teacher?

The Peabody public schools policy on social media use by teachers is focused on maintaining a professional and objective relation with students and parents. It advises using a separate account for personal posts and another for connecting with students or parents. It establishes how to handle potential policy violations. It does not, however, seek to control or limit communication by a teacher, acting outside of their work.

Achieving the right balance is increasingly difficult at a time when people in high office and elected officials seek to ignore our rights, including The First Amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Political speech is protected, even when spoken by noncitizens, and cannot be the basis for discrimination and retribution by the government. Everyone, including immigrants and foreign students, as well as citizens, is protected by the First Amendment.

“Government retribution for speech...is directly forbidden by the First Amendment,” according to William G. Young, a Federal judge.—Court document, US District Court, District of Massachusetts, p. 154

Judge Young found that the president had created a climate of fear using retribution, bullying, and deportation while

“...violating the First Amendment as part of a broader strategy to stamp out campus activism.”—Zach Montague, New York Times, September 30, 2025.

As tenants in public and subsidized housing, we know how arbitrary actions by a landlord can create a dismal community.

Teachers cannot teach, and students cannot learn and grow in a climate of fear.

Let us, teachers, newcomers, immigrants, and tenants alike, stand up for our rights. Sometimes, we win.

The Peabody Public Schools and the Peabody Federation of Teachers announced on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 that the suspended teacher would return to the classroom. They said

“It is important that our community work together to foster greater understanding and respect opinions that differ from our own. We hope that the same things students are learning in the classroom, including how to engage in debate thoughtfully, the importance of empathy, and how to be a critical thinker, can find their way back into public discourse.”

The AFT Massachusetts added,

“The AFT Massachusetts will continue to protect the right to free speech for all educators and make sure anyone facing harassment or retaliation has their right to due process upheld.”—AFT Massachusetts

The protest at the Peabody courthouse had an impact.