Community members are reacting to a Sept. 21 Facebook post by Richmond mayor Ron Oler warning city employees that their public comments about political violence could lead to firing or prosecution.
In the post, Oler says he issued an executive order about conduct expected of “employees, appointees, and members of City boards and commissions” when it comes to their written and verbal statements on “social media and other public platforms.” Oler cited the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah and said that public servants should not make remarks that “erode trust” or “place our community at risk,” especially remarks that “glorify or promote violence.”
The U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment protects the right to free speech, including speech that others might find offensive or hateful. Courts have consistently held that there are exceptions to these protections. For example, “fighting words” — personally abusive statements that are likely to provoke the average person to react violently — are not protected. Nor is speech that conveys a serious intent to commit illegal acts, or that incites others to commit illegal action in an immediate and specific way.
Oler’s executive order might stretch beyond those exceptions if it seeks to suppress protected, if potentially offensive, speech that celebrates but does not necessarily incite violence.
Richmond Common Council member Bill Engle told WWN he was “really surprised” to see the order and doesn’t think the city’s HR or legal departments should be investigating employee speech or expression made outside of work. “If someone wanted to make a comment on personal Facebook page or a podcast, that’s their business, not up to the city,” Engle said.
Oler wrote that the order “does not restrict the lawful expression of political views,” but said if speech crosses a line into “advocacy of violence, it becomes incompatible with public service.”
Council member Jerry Purcell responded in his own Facebook post, saying the order “seems like a natural course of action to set boundaries for our political discourse at this volatile moment in time.” Purcell said he would watch the impact of the order unfold, and that “trying to manage and define intent in conversation can become a slippery slope as we all know.”
Residents commenting on Oler’s post shared reactions that ranged from supportive to critical. Many agreed that the way the order is implemented will determine if it is helpful or harmful.
In his online comments, Oler didn’t cite any specific act of employee speech that prompted the order, but told WWN there was an incident that led to the statement without providing details. “I really needed to make it clear to some board members or commission members,” Oler said. “It’s a reminder. We won’t tolerate that kind of behavior from anyone, employee or board or commission member.”
Oler’s Facebook post said he wants to foster “a community built on safety, empathy and respect—not division or hostility.” Engle said he worries that the order might work against those goals. “If anything, this could have an adverse effect by threatening people to say they cannot speak their mind on this issue,” Engle said.
Mike Emery contributed to this article.
A version of this article will appear in the October 1 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.