Connecticut Teacher Files Lawsuit Alleging Free Speech Violation Over Critical Race Theory Disagreement
A Connecticut teacher is taking legal action against Hartford Public Schools, alleging a violation of his free speech rights after he refused to endorse the district’s critical race theory initiatives in a mandatory “identity and privilege training.”
John Grande, a teacher in Hartford Public Schools for over 36 years, claims that school officials engaged in a “witch hunt” investigated and “fabricated” evidence against him after he expressed disagreement with the district’s online identity training, according a report by Fox News.
“I was targeted for punishment by school district administrators because I refused to endorse their agenda to push critical race theory on teachers,” said Grande.
“They launched a witch hunt against me and ran a kangaroo court to convict me for exercising my free speech rights,” Grande continued. “They threatened my career to silence me, but with this lawsuit, I’m leveling the playing field and forcing school officials to answer for trampling my rights.”
The lawsuit explains that Grande was required to check “yes” on an “identity wheel” during the presentation for being a straight, white, Christian male.
“And if we can answer yes to each of the questions, then we were [said] to have privilege. And the way that the questions were phrased – they were gaslighting questions,” Grande told Fox News
Grande explains that he was asked his opinion about this presentation and he expressed his disagreement. He further claims that the district accused him of engaging in “inappropriate and unprofessional” conduct, citing language he denies using. Grande argues that this conduct by Hartford Public School officials is unconstitutional under the First Amendment and is seeking the court to award him compensatory and punitive damages.
Grande argues in his lawsuit that the presentation targeted a specific class of people which includes him, and was an “exercise in critical race theory rather than one aimed at improving the education of students.”
A spokesperson for the district commented on the issue, stating, “Hartford Public Schools remains committed to creating safe spaces and robust professional learning opportunities regardless of staff background, beliefs or ideology.”
“While we respect the right for all to seek representation, we disagree with the allegations included in said lawsuit. Due to the pending nature of the litigation, we will not issue further comment.”
