SHOCK AT NO KINGS: Chicago Teacher Mocks Charlie Kirk With Disturbing G.u.n Gesture — Protest Descends Into Chaos as Calls for Discipline Mount .m
Chicago Teacher Under Fire After Making Gun Gesture Mocking Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
CHICAGO, IL — Outrage is spreading across social media and Chicago’s education community after a video surfaced showing a local elementary school teacher making a gun gesture to mock the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The clip, filmed during a “No Kings” protest over the weekend, shows Lucy Martinez — an educator at Nathan Hale Elementary School — putting a finger to her neck and pretending to pull a trigger as a man in a passing pickup truck waved a flag reading “Charlie Kirk: Hero.”
Several protesters around her appeared to cheer and flip off the driver, but it was Martinez’s gesture that set the internet ablaze.
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA and a leading figure in conservative youth politics, was fatally shot in the neck last month while giving a speech at Utah Valley University. The accused shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is currently awaiting trial.
“Sick and vile,” say critics
The video — viewed millions of times since its upload — sparked immediate condemnation online, with critics calling Martinez’s behavior “disgusting” and “unfit for an educator.”
“This is who we trust with our children and then wonder why they become radicalized as adults,” posted Libs of Chicago on X (formerly Twitter).
Ryan Fournier, co-founder of Students for Trump, echoed that sentiment: “This woman teaches children. Lucy is now the perfect face of the ‘No Kings’ movement — a movement that preaches ‘love’ but celebrates death. Evil always exposes itself.”
Another user wrote, “What parent would want their child being taught by such a truly hateful person?”
Unclear if teacher has been disciplined
It remains unclear whether Martinez has faced disciplinary action. Shortly after the video went viral, Nathan Hale Elementary’s website was taken offline, and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released a brief statement stressing its commitment to safety and respect.
“Chicago Public Schools remains committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming, safe, and inclusive teaching and learning environment, free from harassment, bias, or harm of any kind,” the district said.
“While CPS does not comment on specific personnel matters, the District follows a consistent process when allegations of misconduct are reported. Employees found to have violated Board policy are subject to disciplinary action.”
A CPS spokesperson declined to confirm whether Martinez has been placed on leave or terminated, referring media inquiries back to the statement.
Community reaction divided
In Chicago’s southwest neighborhoods, reactions are divided. Some parents expressed anger, saying the behavior crosses moral and professional boundaries. Others urged restraint, calling for due process.
“She should be fired,” said one parent outside the school. “If that’s how she feels about a man’s death, what values is she teaching our kids?”
But another, who identified herself as a fellow educator, told The Post that social media outrage should not replace internal review. “It was inappropriate,” she said, “but CPS needs to handle it through policy, not mob justice.”
A wider reflection on polarization
The controversy underscores the deep divisions in American political and cultural life — divisions that now extend into classrooms. Kirk’s assassination itself has become a flashpoint, inspiring tributes from conservatives and condemnation from progressives wary of his rhetoric.
Now, the behavior of one teacher at a local protest has reignited that tension.
“Whether you agreed with Charlie Kirk or not,” said one Chicago pastor, “mocking someone’s murder is a line no one should cross. We’ve lost the ability to grieve without politics getting in the way.”
As of Monday evening, neither Martinez nor representatives for the “No Kings” movement had responded to requests for comment.
The investigation by CPS remains ongoing.
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