Suzanne Swierc does not regret what she said about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

In a Sept. 22 news conference, Swierc spoke publicly for the first time about the fallout after a post she made critical of Kirk went public, resulting in Ball State University firing her and a firestorm of conservative backlash. She was Ball State's director of health promotion and advocacy before her employment was terminated Sept. 17.

"I would not take back what I said," she told reporters. "I believe that I, along with every other person in this country, have First Amendment rights to be able to speak on a number of things."

In a post on Sept. 10, Swierc condemned Kirk's killing but added his death was "a reflection of the violence, fear, and hatred he sowed." She said other tragedies, like the

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