Bakersfield College Faculty Member Files Lawsuit Claiming First Amendment Violations And Political Targeting

The Institute for Free Speech filed the lawsuit on behalf of Daymon Johnson, a professor at the college, who claims that he was targeted for investigation after expressing his political beliefs. The lawsuit alleges that the investigation began after Johnson responded to a post from a faculty member, Andrew Bond, which called America a "f---ing piece of s--- nation."

Bond subsequently filed an administrative complaint with the college against Johnson for "harassment and bullying." Johnson fears being fired and has refrained from expressing himself on political matters. The lawsuit demands injunctive relief to secure Johnson's First Amendment rights against being "culled" for disagreeing with the District's political views.

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The lawsuit also alleges that the university recently fired professor Matthew Garrett, who had been outspoken about antiracist initiatives from the District. The Vice President of Kern, John S. Corkins, who was named in the lawsuit, used heated language against faculty who opposed the District's diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. He referred to them as "the five percent that we have to continue to cull" and said, "Got them in my livestock operation and that's why we put a rope on some of them and take them to the slaughterhouse."

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The lawsuit claims that the five percent Corkins referred to are faculty of Bakersfield College who must be "slaughtered" for transgressions, including the failure to censor their colleagues' Facebook posts, all in opposition to the school's official ideology.

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June 26, 2023

The lawsuit argues that the First Amendment guarantees Johnson's right to express himself and forbids the state from mandating that he subscribe to or promote any official ideology. Johnson called Bond an "SJW" – social justice warrior – a slang term used by right-wingers to describe far-left individuals they believe are easily upset or "triggered" when confronted with facts they don't like and alternative viewpoints. Johnson suggested that Bond move to China and post his comments about the Chinese Communist Party to see how much mileage it gets him.

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Vice President Corkins later apologized for his remarks about slaughterhouses at a public meeting, saying, "I apologize to anyone who felt threatened or was offended. My intent was to emphasize that the individuals who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting have my full support." The university did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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The lawsuit filed by Daymon Johnson against the District administrators of Bakersfield College alleges that they violated his First Amendment rights. Johnson fears being fired and has refrained from expressing himself on political matters. The lawsuit demands injunctive relief to secure Johnson's First Amendment rights against being "culled" for disagreeing with the District's political views. The lawsuit also alleges that the university recently fired professor Matthew Garrett, who had been outspoken about antiracist initiatives from the district. Vice President Corkins later apologized for his remarks about slaughterhouses at a public meeting.