CORAL GABLES, FLA. (WSVN) - Two South Florida universities have taken action against staff members following controversial comments on social media in response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Known for hosting debates and conversations at college campuses, Kirk was shot and killed on Wednesday while addressing students at Utah Valley University. The father of two was 31.
The shooting suspect, Tyler Robinson, was taken into custody on Friday. Florida Atlantic University confirmed they placed a tenured faculty member on administrative leave pending an investigation.
The university posted a statement from FAU President Adam Hasner that reads in part:
“Earlier today I became aware of repeated comments on social media made by a tenured faculty member regarding the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Our focus remains on our academic community’s responsibility to promote civil discourse, conduct healthy debate, and treat one another with respect. This applies to all students, faculty, and staff, no matter their political leanings.”
In Palmetto Bay, Village Councilman Steve Cody is still facing calls for his resignation after writing “Charlie Kirk is a fitting sacrifice to our lords: Smith and Wesson. Hallowed be their names” on social media.
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox described social media as a cancer on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press.’
“There is no question in my mind that cancer probably isn’t a strong enough word, what we have done, especially to our kids, it took us a decade to realize how evil these algorithms are,” said Cox.
And on CBS’s ‘Face the Nation’, Delaware Sen. Chris Coons called for platforms to better regulate their content.
“The ways in which folks are then taking the horrific images of these incidents and propagating them on the internet adds fuel to the fire,” said Coons. “We can and should pass bills.”
A large crowd is expected at the Village council meeting at Village Hall on Monday night, where the Vice Mayor Mark Merwitzer said he plans to shut down county business until Cody resigns.
These actions take place as thousands of supporters are expected to pay their respects to Kirk at a memorial service set for Sept. 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
As of Monday, FAU has not released the identity of the faculty member who was suspended.
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