Tennessee professor suspended after Charlie Kirk social media post gives first interview

An anthropology professor placed on leave by University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman told a reporter from the UT independent student newspaper The Beacon she was concerned for her safety after emailers called for her termination following her social media message on the day of activitist Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

A chain of emails collected by the UT student-led newspaper said dozens of messages against and supporting Tamar Shirnian were received in September, including one from UT President Randy Boyd calling the situation a firestorm.

In her first media interview since her suspension, Shirnian said the amount of politicians and right-wing supporters trying to influence Plowman made her uneasy. The professor has been suspended since September and has filed lawsuits against university officials to get her job back.

(IMAGE: Property of the University of Tennessee / Official Facebook)