RICHMOND, Va. Jan 24, 2007 (AP)— A high school art teacher has hired the ACLU to challenge his firing after a video of him moonlighting as a "butt-printing artist" was widely circulated among his high school students.
The executive director of the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said a public employee such as former teacher Stephen Murmer has a right to free expression outside the workplace as long as it does not interfere with his job.
"Once he became fired, then it became a potential legal issue," said Kent Willis. "First Amendment issues always have a high priority ranking for us."
Murmer can either appeal the school board's firing to a state court or go to federal court on constitutional grounds, Willis said.
Details here from the AP via ABCNews.com. (Hat tip: Overlawyered)