Larry Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer from Tennessee, has secured an $850,000 settlement after being imprisoned for over a month due to a Facebook meme. The meme poked fun at the assassination of Charlie Kirk, leading to his arrest. Bushart’s case was against Perry County, Sheriff Nick Weems, and the investigator involved in his arrest.
Bushart spent 37 days in jail on a $2 million bond before authorities dropped the felony charge in October. His imprisonment led to job loss, missing his wedding anniversary, and the birth of his granddaughter. Following his release, he filed a federal lawsuit with the assistance of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
“I am pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated,” Bushart stated after the settlement. “The people’s freedom to participate in civil discourse is crucial to a healthy democracy. I am looking forward to moving on and spending time with my family.”
The Facebook meme that resulted in Bushart’s arrest featured an image of President Donald Trump with words from 2024 regarding a school shooting in Iowa. Authorities believed it could be interpreted as a threat against Perry County High School in Tennessee. Although the investigator did not believe the meme posed an actual threat, the concern was that others might misinterpret it this way.
Adam Steinbaugh, a senior attorney with FIRE, emphasized, “No one should be hauled off to jail in the dark of night over a harmless meme just because the authorities disagree with its message.” The organization noted that many Americans have faced censorship following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Leave a Reply