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Compassion toward animals got this teacher fired. Help him get his job back

Jeff Hirst
Cleveland Heights, OH
Keith Allison was removed as a teacher by the Green Local Schools in Smithville, Ohio in August 2014. Why? Because of a Facebook post in which he shared his personal beliefs about the treatment of dairy farm animals and encouraged people to drink plant-based milk.

He posted about the need for compassion toward animals.

On his personal time.

In his own home, using his own computer.

And for this, he was fired.

Keith’s post did not violate any laws. And as passionate as Keith is about veganism and compassion toward animals, he did not promote these causes in the classroom.

School Superintendent Judy Robinson said that Keith, who tutored elementary school students in English and math, was terminated because his Facebook post offended the owner of a farm that was shown in a photo attached to the post. But the post didn’t even identify either the landowner or the location of the farm.

Teachers, like all American citizens, have a First Amendment right to engage in free speech. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio reminded the Green school board of this fact in a letter dated December 10, 2014.

“A school district cannot punish an employee because a member of the community objects to what the employee has to say,” said Freda Levenson, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio. “As the training ground for future citizens, schools have a special obligation to follow the Constitution,” said Joseph Mead, representing Keith as a cooperating attorney with the ACLU.

You don’t have to be a vegan or vegetarian to understand that Keith should be applauded for his big heart and compassion. He certainly shouldn’t be punished. We need more, not less, love and kindness in the world – especially in our schools.