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Fire Chief on Administrative Leave over ‘Incendiary’ Post After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

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Anthony P. Luke, chief of the Cleveland Division of Fire, has been placed on administrative leave after publicly posting “incendiary” remarks following the horrific public assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.

According to Fox 8, which confirmed that Luke has been placed on leave, the now-deleted Facebook post contained a cartoon image of a rifle with the caption, “Bring out the next sacrifice!!” following Kirk’s assassination, which occurred during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, a Democrat, confirmed that the post was brought to his attention, asserting that it fundamentally “romanticizes gun violence, a matter far too serious in a city where we mourn too many families every week, too many lives cut short, and too many children denied safe sleep in their beds.”

The mayor said he believes in free speech and that the First Amendment “protects every individual’s right to express opinions—even those that are unpopular, provocative, or difficult to hear.”

“But with rights come responsibilities, especially for those who hold positions of public trust and leadership,” he continued, explaining that someone in a position like Luke is a “standard-bearer for what the City of Cleveland stands for, what we teach our children, and how our neighbors should expect to be treated—and protected.” (Read more from “Fire Chief on Administrative Leave over ‘Incendiary’ Post After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Cleveland Protesters Pepper-Sprayed, Injured Bystanders

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Officials say some protesters angry over the acquittal of a police officer charged in the deaths of two unarmed suspects became violent and turned on bystanders, including some who pepper-sprayed patrons sitting at outdoor cafes downtown.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams says 71 people were arrested Saturday night after a day of mostly peaceful protests turned more aggressive.

Williams said Sunday at a news conference with Mayor Frank Jackson that another protester threw a restaurant sign at a patron, striking him in the head. He says bystanders were also accosted in at least one other instance.

Jackson thanked the majority of protesters who remained respectful. He says the police will continue to help demonstrators exercise their First Amendment rights but warned the city will not tolerate any protesters who cross the line into violence. (Read more from “Cleveland Protesters Pepper-Spraying Bystanders” HERE)

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