NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A Nashville firefighter has been awarded more than $1.7 million in damages in a federal civil rights case.
The verdict was returned on Friday by a federal jury against the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for retaliating against Tracy Turner "based on his exercise of his free speech rights."
In 2020, Turner posted on his personal Facebook page about several issues including the Black Lives Matter protests, the COVID-19 mask mandate and global warming. Turner was demoted from his position of Captain to the lowest rank in the department.
The court found his Facebook comments were protected by the First Amendment.
“This is an important vindication of a public employee’s freedom to exercise their right of free speech,” said attorney Larry Crain. “We should never tolerate government retaliation against an employee for speaking out on matters of inherent public concern.”
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at kelly.broderick@newschannel5.com.
This is a story I immediately went home and showed my boys - young athletes with big dreams. The Vanderbilt football team's success has stolen the spotlight - what I love about Steve Layman's story is he reveals the individual hardships it took to get there. As Clark Lea says, "we all have scuff marks." This team proves perseverance pays off!
- Carrie Sharp
