Johnathan Perkins, previously serving as the Director of Race & Equity at the University of California, Los Angeles, claims he was dismissed following contentious remarks on social media concerning the September assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
“UCLA terminated my employment simply because I didn’t express sorrow over Charlie Kirk’s passing—a blatant infringement on my First Amendment rights,” Perkins shared on the social media platform Bluesky, which is predominantly used by left-leaning individuals.
In his post, Perkins included a link to a GoFundMe campaign he initiated to manage his expenses during his unemployment. He intends to sue the university for purportedly violating his rights to free speech, urging contributions from those committed to “combating racism” and advocating for “freedom of expression.”
“My dogs, two cats, and I would greatly appreciate your assistance as we navigate the future,” he mentioned, incorporating hashtags like #Project2025 and #DEI into his message.
Charlie Kirk was speaking at a Turning Point event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on September 10, 2025, when he was tragically assassinated. (Photo by Tess Crowley/The Deseret News via AP)
Perkins was the school’s former Director of Race & Equity.
“UCLA just fired me (Dir. of Race & Equity) over Bluesky posts about not being sad Charlie Kirk died,” he said in another post.
On Sept. 12, two days after Kirk was shot and killed while hosting a Turning Point USA event on Utah Valley University’s campus, Perkins appeared to suggest in a now-deleted post that Kirk deserved to die.
“Multiple times throughout his short life, Charlie Kirk has proudly proclaimed the United States’ 45,000 or so annual gun deaths are ‘worth it’ for his beloved 2nd Amendment ‘right to bear arms,’” he said. “Dude made this bed; reaped what he sowed; chickens coming home to roost, etc. Smh.”
“I’m always glad when bigots die, so,” he said in another post.
“It is OKAY to be happy when someone who hated you and called for your people’s death dies — even if they are murdered,” he said in another.
Janss Steps on the UCLA campus on Oct. 20, 2017. UCLA is a public university in the Los Angeles area. (MichaelGordon1/Getty Images)
“F— Around and Find Out is really doing its thing, lately,” said a fourth post.
UCLA placed Perkins on leave amid the initial wave of controversy.
“UCLA has placed a campus employee on immediate leave and has launched an investigation following reports of social media posts regarding the murder of Charlie Kirk. While free expression is a core value of UCLA, violence of any kind — including the celebration of it — is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the school said in a Sept. 14 statement, without referencing Perkins directly.
Early morning view of Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA, taken on an unknown date. (iStock)
On Wednesday evening, a UCLA spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the school does not comment on personnel matters.
“Under University policies, employees who have received a notice of intent to terminate are provided an opportunity to respond to the notice before any action is taken,” the spokesperson said.
Perkins did not return a request for comment, but defended himself in an interview with UCLA’s student newspaper, The Daily Bruin, saying he did not “celebrate” Kirk’s death, and doubling down on his stance on Kirk’s death.
“It’s OK to not be sad when someone who’s a horrible, horrible bigot, dies,” he reportedly said.
