A legal nonprofit has taken the case of a Michigan man who was fired from his job for using the phrase “All Lives Matter,” according to a press release.
Rick Beaudin, a Re/Max realtor in Pinckney, Michigan, posted what he thought was an innocuous comment on Facebook, in a response to Black Lives Matter organizing a protest there.
“Can’t we all just promote in Pinckney That All Lives Matter?” he said from his personal Facebook page.
Beaudin’s boss Joseph DeKroub, allegedly worried about retaliation in the form of Black Lives Matter mobs or boycotts, fired him the next day.
Now, the Thomas More Law Center says it is taking up Beaudin’s case.
“As a result, the Thomas More Law Center (“TMLC”), a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan teamed up with James K. Fett, a prominent civil rights attorney to push back on the ‘cancel culture’ which had victimized Beaudin. On February 4, 2021, Fett filed a four-count civil action on Beaudin’s behalf in the Livingston County Circuit Court,” TMLC said in a press release. “The Defendants include an Unknown Associate of Black Lives Matter, Re/Max of Michigan, Re/Max Platinum and its owner, Joseph DeKroub.”
According to the civil court complaint, that “Unknown Associate of Black Lives Matter” pressured the business into firing Beaudin.
Beaudin and his legal team are alleging that Re/Max breached its contract with the realtor, that there was tortious interference with his contract by both Re/Max and Black Lives Matter, that the actions of Re/Max and Black Lives Matter constitute interference of a business relationship or expectancy, and that the “Unknown Associate of Black Lives Matter” caused intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Beaudin is seeking compensation of upwards of $150,000 from the court.
“The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes America’s Judeo-Christian heritage and moral values,” according to its description in the press release. “It supports a strong national defense and an independent and sovereign United States of America. The Law Center accomplishes its mission through litigation, education, and related activities.”
The phrase “All Lives Matter” has become a controversial retort to the phrase “Black Lives Matter, according to the political left, because it “delegitimizes” the Black Lives Matter Movement.
TMLC, though, noted in its press release that Beaudin is “in good company” by using the phrase “All Lives Matter.”
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Dr. Ben Carson, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary and presidential candidate – both Black men – have used the phrase publicly.
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a contributor at The Michigan Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Rick Beaudin” by realtor.com.
