Professor sues college after being investigated for calling peer social justice warrior on social media

A community college professor in California has filed a lawsuit against his employers, alleging faculty who disagree with liberal ideology are being punitively investigated and silenced.

The Institute for Free Speech filed a lawsuit on behalf of Professor Daymon Johnson, a full-time professor of history at Bakersfield College, on June 1, after Johnson endured a five-month administrative investigation for calling a peer a radical social justice warrior.

Professor Johnson, who is still employed by the school, alleges his First Amendment rights are being violated, as Bakersfield College is a public institution that receives government funding.

The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit administrators from further investigating, punishing or firing him.

“Professor Johnson refrains from expressing himself on political matters for fear of being subjected to further investigations and termination,” the complaint reads. “The First Amendment, however, guarantees Professor Johnson’s right to express himself, and it forbids the state from mandating that he subscribe to or promote any official ideology.”