BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (TND) — A California professor is suing several administrators at his college for allegedly targeting him over his political beliefs, including one administrator who previously compared opponents of diversity efforts to "livestock" needing to be taken "to the slaughterhouse."
The lawsuit was filed earlier this month on behalf of Bakersfield College professor Daymon Johnson by the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit Institute for Free Speech (IFS). According to the lawsuit, Johnson was recently investigated by Bakersfield College for "criticizing and questioning a colleague's views" on social media.
The colleague was allegedly fellow Bakersfield College professor Andrew Bond, who wrote on his personal Facebook page in August 2019 that America "is a f------ piece of s--- country."
"Go ahead and quote me, conservatives," Bond wrote. Johnson then allegedly reposted Bond's remarks calling him a "radical SJW [social justice warrior]."
"Maybe he should move to China and post this about the PRC in general or the Chinese Communist Party and see how mileage it gets him," Johnson allegedly said of Bond. Bond then allegedly filed an administrative complaint of "harassment" against Johnson, prompting the investigation.
According to the lawsuit, Bakersfield College ultimately found that Johnson had committed no wrongdoing. However, Johnson feels he has "special reason" to still be concerned, as he claims other Bakersfield College staff have been fired for "forms of pure political speech."
This is not the first time Bakersfield College has faced controversy. In December, John Corkins, a member of the governing board overseeing the college, drew attention for criticizing individuals on campus pushing for "free speech."
“I think there’s a segment, as there is in everything, in every company and every business, a small percent of people that are...disrespectful or whatever you call it," Corkins said during a December board meeting. "Got them in my livestock operation, and that's why we put a rope on some of them and take them to the slaughterhouse."
Corkins is listed as a defendant in the lawsuit filed on behalf of Johnson. The individuals Corkins compared to "livestock" are members of the Renegade Institute for Liberty, a Bakersfield College organization dedicated to "the pursuit of free speech," which Johnson leads.
Corkins later apologized for his remarks, saying his intent was to offer his "full support" to students and faculty who "bravely shared their feelings of fear based on the actions of a small group" of people.
The National Desk (TND) reached out to Bakersfield College for comment, but did not receive a response prior to publication. This story will be updated if a response is received.
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