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School Fired Prof Over 9/11 Essay: Jury

He wins case after calling victims 'little Eichmanns'

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2009 9:02 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A jury decided today that the University of Colorado unjustly fired one of its professors after he called 9/11 victims "little Eichmanns" in an essay, the Denver Post reports. Jurors, however, awarded Ward Churchill only $1 in damages. A judge will now determine whether the school must reinstate Churchill and pay him any lost wages.

The school "not only violated my rights, but my students' rights and the community's rights," said Churchill. The $1 judgment didn't bother him because his suit was about "justice," he said, adding that he expected to be reinstated. Churchill's essay of Sept. 12, 2001, blamed misguided US policies for drawing the attacks, and it said some of the financial workers who died in the World Trade Center were complicit, notes the New York Times.

Ward Churchill responds to questions in Denver after the verdict.
Ward Churchill responds to questions in Denver after the verdict.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Ward Churchill, left, is congratulated by lead attorney David Lane.
Ward Churchill, left, is congratulated by lead attorney David Lane.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Ward Churchill testifies in court.
Ward Churchill testifies in court.   (AP Photo/ Mark Leffingwell, Pool)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 14 comments
Robert_Dada
Apr 3, 2009 12:40 PM CDT
As Voltaire once said: "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." Let's not forget the right to free speech folks. The days of Bush/Cheney are thankfully behind us now. Let's move forward.
riffran
Apr 3, 2009 11:44 AM CDT
true...free speech is a much treasured thing, but his "eichmans" thing was beyond contempt, free speech or not, I would love to see him say that directly to the families of those who were murdered in that attack...I bet he wouldn't be so free with his speech with a mouthfull of New York Fire dept. knuckle in his mouth...Those hard core heroes would not stand idle, and let that filth pass
AClotfelter
Apr 3, 2009 8:48 AM CDT
An external USB keyboard would also be a possible short-term solution

Read the 2001 essay here
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free speech • University of Colorado • Ward Churchill • Colorado • professor

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