Office Depot Fires Michigan Employee Refusing Charlie Kirk Vigil Posters

An Office Depot employee in Portage, Michigan, refused to print a poster for a vigil honoring Charlie Kirk, the conservative political activist who was assassinated at a Utah university campus. The employee called the poster 'propaganda,' leading to widespread backlash and calls for boycotts. Office Depot issued a statement condemning the employee's actions as 'unacceptable and insensitive,' and after an internal investigation, the company terminated the employee. The Republican Party of Kalamazoo County confirmed the order was eventually printed at another location, and several Michigan lawmakers publicly criticized Office Depot's initial refusal. Office Depot also announced plans for additional employee training to reinforce company policies. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the boundaries of political expression within private companies and the consequences when personal beliefs conflict with professional duties.