Authorities in Tennessee have dropped a felony charge against a man who was jailed for more than a month over a Facebook post he made about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
His arrest on a charge of threatening mass violence at a school alarmed free speech advocates, who said Perry County Sheriff Nick Weems had targeted Bushart because of his political views. Bushart was released Wednesday after prosecutors sought to dismiss the charge.
Bushart, a 61-year-old former law enforcement officer, had posted numerous memes on Facebook making light of Kirks killing.
The one that got Bushart arrested was a meme featuring President Donald Trump and the words, We have to get over it. That quote, the meme explained, was said by Trump last year after a school shooting at Iowas Perry High School.
Posting the meme, Bushart wrote: This seems relevant today...
Investigators believe Bushart was fully aware of the fear his post would cause and intentionally sought to create hysteria within the community, Weems said in a statement to The Tennessean last month.
He said Bushart was arrested after refusing to delete the post. His bail was set at $2 million.
Bushart spent more than five weeks in jail before being released. Neither Weems nor Hans Schwendimann, the local district attorney, immediately responded to requests for comment on why the charge was dropped.
I hope he wins a massive lawsuit against these peopleHe fucking better
punishment of speaking against charlie kirk, can't say anything because it's illegal.
https://apnews.com/article/charlie-kirk-meme-tennessee-arrest-larry-bushart-02b445f454bcfb657a48e8fa7e8ddfc9
He spent five weeks behind bars for saying about Charlie Kirk's shooting what Donald Trump said about school shootings. I hope he wins a massive lawsuit against these people, and I hope the local taxpayers feel the sting of having to settle up.
Time for a massive lawsuit against the state.Until officials get to be held personally responsible for abusing their authority nothing is going to change, these idiots aren't going to care because it's not like they'll be the ones paying out the court costs.
I also remember the user who got banned insisting that the guy was indeed threatening violence by posting that.Guy had the audacity to tell us to read the article to see why when he didn't even read it himself.
Weird hill to die on.
Ironically, I think even Charlie Kirk would be against having the guy arrested for what he posted. It was a significant overreaction, especially when it's meant to show the hypocrisy with Trump's reaction to a school shooting.
Ironically, I think even Charlie Kirk would be against having the guy arrested for what he posted.What in the world made you think that?
What in the world made you think that?He's all supposedly about free speech and being able to say what you want. That seemed to be the one thing he was consistent on, at least.
He's all supposedly about free speech and being able to say what you want. That seemed to be the one thing he was consistent on, at least.
He wasn't at all though. The only thing consistent about it was that it was, again, the standard right wing "I claim to be X while continually doing the opposite." It's no different than republicans crying about the debt and how they are totally fiscally responsible unlike those out of control spending democrats.Hm. I guess the propaganda got to me, lol. I only had a passing knowledge of him (mainly that he had shitty inhumane takes).
Hm. I guess the propaganda got to me, lol. I only had a passing knowledge of him (mainly that he had shitty inhumane takes).
Ironically, I think even Charlie Kirk would be against having the guy arrested for what he posted. It was a significant overreaction, especially when it's meant to show the hypocrisy with Trump's reaction to a school shooting.Chuckles the Dead Nazi had exactly zero principles that weren't for sale.
He spent a month+ in jail for criticizing Cheeto.And in this case, "criticizing" was really just "directly quoting"
Hm. I guess the propaganda got to me, lol. I only had a passing knowledge of him (mainly that he had shitty inhumane takes).Unfortunately, yeah. The propaganda has been strong, especially after he was killed.
Stuff like this is why I rarely judge someone with a criminal record. Who knows what actually happened.
And 5 weeks later and Charlie Kirk is not even talked about just like school shootingsI knew this was going to happen.
Gross, now he just ruined the image of the Dodgers, Ohtani deserves a better teammate.
I wouldn't be shocked if most Dodgers were Trump cult members. Rich athletes generally aren't democrats.Well athletes aren't really known for their intelligence.
We know exactly what happened. The people who call leftists snowflakes and pretend to champion free speech locked this guy up because he didn't kiss Charlie Kirk's feet.Woosh!
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/9/9c994156.jpgI'm going to laugh when the Dodgers lose
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/9/9c994156.jpgImagine how much they would rage if a black dude had MLK, Breonna Taylor or George Floyd on their gear
He said Bushart was arrested after refusing to delete the post. His bail was set at $2 million.wtf. remember when right wingers claimed to be pro free speech?
wtf. remember when right wingers claimed to be pro free speech?
guess they only believe that when they aren't in power.