ACLU Calls Barrington Teacher Probe Over Charlie Kirk Comments 'Disturbing'

The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island said the investigation of a Barrington teacher for his remarks about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk "reflects a disturbing national trend."

"The controversy in Barrington is not an isolated incident," said in a statement. "It reflects a disturbing national trend of speech suppression and an increasing use of government power to silence opposing beliefs and voices."

Multiple media outlets reported Barrington Social Studies teacher Benjamin Fillo was placed on paid leave.

Related: Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot; MA Leaders React

Fillo was placed on leave over a TikTok video in which he called Kirk a "piece of garbage," the New York Post said.

"This is a man who hated the LGBTQ community, who hated women’s rights, who hated democracy,” Fillo said in the video, according to the Post story.

The website Hypefresh told of students "boldly demanding" Fillo's firing.

Related: MA Teachers Association Wants Educators Defended From Charlie Kirk Backlash

"On September 16, 2025, three Barrington High School students stepped up to the microphone, their voices steady and unyielding, to condemn social studies teacher Benjamin Fillo for a TikTok video that celebrated the September 11 shooting death of Charlie Kirk at a Utah Valley University event," Hypefresh said.

Acting Barrington Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Ashley recommended the appointment of an independent investigator to look into the Fillo matter, GoLocalProv reported.

"As Acting Superintendent and a former teacher, I take seriously our responsibility to uphold professional standards, while ensuring fairness, due process, and transparency,” Ashley said in the GoLocalProv story.

Related: Activist Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot; RI Leaders React

In the wake of educators being placed on leave in Massachusetts, the teachers union in that state called on school districts and public colleges to protect the rights of its membership.

"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," MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy said in a joint statement.

The treatment of Fillo puts freedom speech at risk, the ACLU said.

"The investigation of the comments made by a Barrington high school teacher on his own time and in his personal capacity in response to the killing of Charlie Kirk highlight the danger of stifling speech," the ACLU's statement said.

"While speech directly intended to provoke violence is not protected by the First Amendment, the ability to speak freely in one’s private capacity about public issues — including the right to criticize, challenge, and denounce opposing political views, however crudely — must be safeguarded, especially when that speech is considered unpopular or provocative," the statement said. "Otherwise, everybody’s free speech is at risk, dependent on the political tides."