Emory University School of Medicine faculty member fired for social media post

Emory University School of Medicine reportedly terminated a non-clinical faculty member this week after a social media post by the individual provoked "concern" across the community, according to a message from the dean.

What we know:

Dean Sandra L. Wong posted about the termination in a message dated Sept. 18. No other information was given about the employee or social media post.

Several individuals have been suspended or terminated recently by their employers in the metro Atlanta area after posts were made on social media in connection to the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last week. Employees have been suspended by Delta and Cobb County schools.

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A young woman in Walton County was also arrested for defacing a sign mourning Charlie Kirk. 

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National consequences

Nationally, many other individuals have been suspended or terminated from their places of employment, and ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel's show has been taken off the air indefinitely, an action that has resulted in protests in both New York City and Los Angeles.

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Additionally, East Tennessee State University is in the process of firing 1 of 2 tenured professors who were placed on leave over social media posts they made about Charlie Kirk, according to WJHL. The other professor chose to step away from his position. 

Vice President JD Vance, who filled in for Kirk on "The Charlie Kirk Show" earlier this week," said that he was disturbed by the number of people online who were seen justifying or even celebrating Kirk's murder. Vance told viewers to call out and inform employers of people who openly celebrate political assassination to foster a more civil society.

RELATED: JD Vance declares there is 'no unity' with people who celebrate Charlie Kirk's assassination

Emory employee not officially identified

What we don't know:

It is not known at this time exactly what the post by the now-former Emory employee contained. The School of Medicine has not released any other information because it is a personnel matter. 

After Kirk was killed last week, Emory's Interim President Justice Lea Ward Sears released the following statement:

I am deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless killing on the campus of Utah Valley University yesterday that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk.

In moments like these, all Americans must stand together and reject violence everywhere, always. We must also remain steadfast in ensuring that our college campuses are safe, welcoming spaces, so that even the most challenging and important debates can take place with respect and dignity.

Multiple posts on social media have identified the employee as a professor of pediatrics at the university. And a representative from Wisconsin posted on X that he would look into "freezing every single contract" with Emory University if they did not terminate the faculty member. FOX 5 Atlanta has been unable to confirm the employee's identity. 

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