RALEIGH — The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina (ACLU) reportedly has fired Kristie Puckett Williams, the lobbyist who engaged in days of profane attacks and comments against WBT radio host Pete Kaliner two weeks ago.
In a tweet on Wednesday, Puckett Williams said, “I’m fresh off the plantation. Let’s get to freedom!” in reference to her firing.
Emancipate NC, which says it is an organization supporting “dismantling structural racism and mass incarceration across North Carolina,” said it was deeply concerned about the policing of language of a “formerly incarcerated black woman” although they make no mention of the many vulgar references and calls for violence against the radio host.
Emancipate NC counts organizations such as the Z. Smith Reynold Foundation, Tides Foundation, Duke Energy Foundation and National Bail Fund Foundation as primary funders.
We are deeply concerned that @kristie_1979 has been fired by @ACLU_NC. The policing of language by anyone, but especially of a formerly incarcerated Black woman, is inconsistent with our organizations moral and values. We stand with Kristie. Free speech is free for all.
— EmancipateNC (@EmancipateNC) February 15, 2023
Multiple attempts to reach the ACLU’s North Carolina organization have gone unanswered. As of Thursday morning, her biography was still live on their website.
Following North State Journal’s original story regarding the lobbyist’s tweets, state Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham), who formerly served on a board with Puckett Williams, said she found the comments “Vulgar and completely inappropriate.”
