A professor from the University of Toronto has been placed on temporary leave following a contentious online statement regarding the shooting incident involving right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Ruth Marshall, who holds positions in religious studies and political science, reportedly made the comment on her private social media account, formerly known as Twitter, stating that “shooting is honestly too good for so many of you fascist c–ts.”
The controversial tweet was posted at 5:40 p.m. on Wednesday, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced Kirk’s passing on social media. Marshall’s post received widespread criticism online, including remarks from Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security, Nolan Quinn, who emphasized the importance of promoting critical thinking and respectful discourse in academic settings.
In response to the incident, the University of Toronto swiftly took action by placing the faculty member on leave and launching an investigation. A university spokesperson confirmed these actions, stating that the professor is currently off-campus, and further details will not be disclosed at this time.
Efforts to contact Marshall for comments were unsuccessful, as her faculty profiles were inaccessible on Friday with an “access denied” message displayed. Legal experts highlighted that depending on university policies and any potential reputational harm caused, termination could be a possible outcome for Marshall. Employment lawyer Samantha Lucifora stressed that employers have the authority to dismiss employees for various reasons as long as it is not discriminatory or retaliatory.
Lucifora also advised individuals to protect themselves on social media by setting their accounts to private and familiarizing themselves with company policies related to social media use. Additionally, she recommended refraining from using explicit language or derogatory remarks and avoiding associations with their employer when posting online.
The incident underscores a growing trend of individuals facing disciplinary actions or job terminations due to their social media activities, highlighting the importance of mindful online behavior in professional settings.