Maryland man says his online post on abortion cost his job with arts council

KPIC ^ | July 7, 2022 | JEFF ABELL | WBFF Staff

[Morgana]

CARROLL COUNTY, Md. (WBFF) — A Maryland man said the highly-charged debate over abortion has cost him his job.

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Zach Tomlin went online to express his support for the decision on his personal Facebook page.

"I'm not here to look down upon or judge anyone," Tomlin wrote. "It's a victory for those of us who believe in small government."

Hours later, Tomlin received an email from the director at the Carroll County Arts Council where Tomlin is contracted to perform work.

"In light of your political post on Facebook, I am reconsidering our business relationship," director Lynne Griffith wrote. "I will advise you of the date of termination."

Attorney David Ellin believes the arts council, which is largely funded with government tax dollars, violated Tomlin's constitutional rights.

"It doesn't matter if you're pro-life or pro-choice, pro-gun or anti-gun, the fact of the matter is his free speech was taken away from him," Ellin said.

Tomlin, who's a candidate for the Maryland Senate, fears the action has tarnished his reputation.

"It makes you feel like a monster like you're doing something wrong and that's not who I am," Tomlin said.

In emails to WBFF, Griffith said she is out of town and will provide a statement about the case on Friday.

Tomlin, however, said he's learning a hard lesson about the price of free speech.

"You can't have someone like that in charge of a non-profit when they're going to discriminate against someone's religious beliefs or political ideology," Tomlin said.

VIDEO ON LINK

[PapaBear3625]

Remember, do Facebook posts to friends only.

You will never know which of your "friends" is really not, especially if you expand your "friends" group beyond just people who you know very well.

You also cannot be sure that your posting to friends will not be seen by their leftist girlfriends.