The Massachusetts Teachers Association is calling on school districts not to punish educators who have reacted positively to Charlie Kirk’s assassination, saying disciplinary actions “validate accusations by extremists.”

The call comes as some districts across the Bay State have suspended teachers for making social media posts that appear to celebrate Kirk’s death, including one educator who allegedly commented, “just a reminder, we’re NOT offering sympathy.”

MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy are urging districts and public colleges and universities to be “partners with unions in the fight to defend educators from bullying and harassment and to protect their rights.”

“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,” Page and McCarthy said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

“Attacks against educators and others have included death threats and the promise of violence,” they added.

Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala confirmed on Monday that two teachers at Peabody Veterans Memorial High School have been on leave since last Friday for social media posts that allegedly violated “district policies and procedures.”

Peabody joins at least Framingham, Sharon and Wachusett Regional, which includes the towns of Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland and Sterling, in taking action against teachers who have reacted positively and celebratory on social media towards Kirk’s death.

A video, which a Framingham teacher posted on social media last week, and has gone viral, shows the teacher singing God Bless America before she turns the camera to a television screen with the headline that Kirk had died after being shot.

Leaders in the respective districts have not explicitly shared details of the posts, but they have condemned the social media posts, describing them as inappropriate. The content of the posts has come to light through conservative commentators and concerned parents.

“The MTA will 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,” the MTA’s Page and McCarthy added in their statement. “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. It is imperative that schools and colleges play a role in shaping a comprehensive strategy to mitigate this climate of violence.

“We are insisting that public school administrators or officials not take actions that validate accusations by extremists against educators,” the union leaders added. “We urge administrators to consider the legal and contractual rights of union members and to give equal weight to justice, due process and caution.”

A spokesperson for the union, which represents 117,000 members, declined to comment further, telling the Herald that “the statement speaks for itself.”

In a statement shared with the Herald, Massachusetts GOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale said that everyone should be condemning the murder of Kirk, a conservative activist, podcaster and ally of President Trump.

Kirk, a father of two young children, died at the age of 31 after being shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.

“The assassination of Charlie Kirk should be a moment of reflection about political dialogue,” Carnevale said in her statement on Tuesday, “but instead the Massachusetts Teachers Association has chosen to defend educators who posted despicable comments that create a safety threat.”

“Students already fearful about expressing their conservative beliefs,” the GOP chairwoman added, “now must worry that the state’s largest teachers association will further inflame partisan divisions.”

Prosecutors have brought a murder charge against the man accused of assassinating Kirk. Tyler Robinson, 22, could face the death penalty if convicted of the killing.

Vice President JD Vance has said that people who celebrate Kirk’s killing should be held accountable. Pilots, medical professionals and a Secret Service employee are among those who have either been suspended or fired for social media posts deemed insensitive following the murder.

Critics have argued that discipline over social media posts infringes upon free speech and employee protections.

“Call them out, and hell, call their employer,” Vance said as he guest-hosted an episode of the Charlie Kirk Show on Monday. “We don’t believe in political violence, but we do believe in civility.”

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s directive that all flags be flown at half-staff this past weekend, marking Kirk’s death, and following Donald Trump’s presidential order, generated backlash from Bay State liberals.

A prayer vigil in Kirk’s honor is slated to be held at Boston Common on Thursday from 7–10 p.m., commemorating his “life and leadership.”

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