Georgia companies respond to employees' controversial comments on Charlie Kirk’s death
Vanessa JohnsIn the wake of Charlie Kirk's death, at least two prominent Georgia employers, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Delta Air Lines, have publicly addressed employee behavior on social media related to the incident.
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta confirmed that an employee had been terminated over “inappropriate comments” made online.
The specific content of the posts has not been made public, but the organization said the remarks violated its social media policy.
“Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is aware of inappropriate comments made on social media by an employee yesterday," the hospital said in a statement. “This type of rhetoric is not acceptable for Children’s employees and violates our social media policy.”
What is Delta Air Lines saying about its employees?
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines also confirmed that multiple employees have been suspended pending an investigation following comments made online about Kirk’s murder.
In a company-wide email, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline had identified employees whose remarks “went well beyond healthy, respectful debate.”
The number of employees involved was not disclosed.
What happened to Charlie Kirk?
Kirk, 31, a father, husband, and founder of the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on the campus of Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Sept. 10, during a speaking engagement. He later died at a local hospital.
The suspected shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is now in custody, according to the FBI and Utah Governor Spencer Cox. The shooting has sparked widespread response online, with reactions ranging from mourning to intense political debate.
Social media reacts to Charlie Kirk's assassination
While many social media users have posted tributes and expressions of sympathy, others have drawn attention for celebratory or mocking remarks.
Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at [email protected]m.