Sacked for Criticising Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DIE) Policies, By Chris Knight (Florida)
Ohio Northern University (ONU) is embroiled in legal disputes following its termination of Professor Scott Gerber, a law professor who criticised the university's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Gerber alleges that his dismissal was a retaliatory act infringing upon his free speech rights. In response, ONU has initiated legal action against Gerber, asserting that his public defense and legal challenges against the university constitute breaches of his employment contract and defamation! It was reported by Reclaim the Net.com: "alleging that his lawsuit was a "perverted" effort to "unleash political retribution" against the university. The lawsuit accuses Gerber of attempting to "manufacture outrage" and claims his legal challenge constitutes an unlawful "abuse of process."
A key aspect of ONU's complaint is Gerber's public statements regarding his firing. The university objects to his writings in The Wall Street Journal and a press release from his attorneys at America First Legal, dismissing them as a "manufactured narrative." However, Gerber and his legal team maintain that their statements rely on ONU's own records and policies, which the state court has deemed sufficient to warrant trial."
The case has been viewed as an example of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), which is a legal strategy intended to silence dissent by facing individuals with costly litigation. Gerber is having to go to court to defend his basic right to free speech, even thjough he used the university's own words and policies to make his case.
Take this as yet another reason for the universities across the West to be closed.
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