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We Got This Covered
William Kennedy

Ex-Tennessee cop, jailed over anti-Charlie Kirk meme, proves First Amendment not just for right-wing

Larry Bushart Charlie Kirk Tennessee Donald Trump Fire Nick Weems Perry County

A Tennessee county agreed to pay retired police officer Larry Bushart $835,000 after authorities jailed him for 37 days over a Facebook meme tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The settlement resolved a federal lawsuit, accusing Perry County officials of violating Bushart’s First Amendment rights.

Bushart, 61, filed the lawsuit in December against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems, and investigator Jason Morrow. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, known as FIRE, helped represent him in the case. Under the agreement announced Wednesday, Bushart will dismiss the lawsuit in exchange for the payment from the county’s insurer. Officials did not admit wrongdoing.

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