UMVA has learned that a Tennessee man, Larry Bushart, will receive a staggering $850,000 settlement after being jailed for over a month for refusing to take down a Facebook meme that poked fun at the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Bushart, a 61-year-old retired police officer, spent 37 days behind bars under a $2 million bond before authorities dropped the felony charge against him in October. During his incarceration, he lost his post-retirement job and missed significant family events, including his wedding anniversary and the birth of his granddaughter.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Bushart's ordeal began in September when he was arrested for refusing to remove a Facebook meme that joked about Kirk's assassination. The meme featured an image of President Donald Trump alongside the words, "We have to get over it," and was captioned with a quote from 2024.
The arrest warrant was based on the dubious claim that the meme could be interpreted as a threat against Perry County High School in Tennessee. However, Bushart did not create or alter the meme, and authorities themselves acknowledged that it did not actually pose a real threat.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the case hinged on how some people could potentially interpret the meme as a threat to a local school. Bushart's lawyers argue that this interpretation is absurd and that he was unfairly targeted for exercising his free speech rights.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Bushart's settlement is a vindication of his First Amendment rights, which were allegedly infringed upon by local law enforcement. His lawyers have hailed the settlement as a crucial victory for free speech and civil discourse.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which helped represent Bushart, noted that hundreds of Americans have been censored for their online speech following Kirk's assassination. The group is currently representing other clients who have faced similar challenges.
FIRE senior attorney Adam Steinbaugh condemned the initial arrest, stating that "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." Bushart has expressed relief and gratitude for the settlement, saying he is "pleased my First Amendment rights have been vindicated" and is looking forward to moving on and spending time with his family.
