Trinity College: Professor Faces Threats, Investigation for Facebook Posts
Cases
Trinity College
Case Overview
In June 2017, Trinity College Professor Johnny Eric Williams shared 鈥 on his personal Facebook page 鈥 an anonymous author鈥檚 controversial essay, entitled 鈥淟et Them Fucking Die.鈥 The essay discussed the actions of a 鈥渜ueer black woman鈥 who saved the life of Representative Steve Scalise, described as 鈥渙ne of the most anti-LGBTQ politicians in Washington.鈥 Two days later, after a black woman was shot to death by police in Seattle, Williams made two additional Facebook posts, leading to criticism that he was endorsing violence against white people. Amidst the criticism, Trinity launched a 鈥渞eview鈥 into Williams鈥 posts to determine 鈥渨hether college procedures or policies were broken鈥 and subsequently placed him on leave. FIREwrote to Trinity on July 3, 2017 calling for the end of the review into Williams鈥 speech and for his reinstatement.