Northampton County Council unanimously passed an anti-political violence resolution Thursday night, as one of its members, who continued to be under fire for comments she allegedly made about slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, participated remotely.
It was Kelly Keegan’s first meeting since images were shared widely across social media of a Facebook post attributed to her that called Kirk a “monster.” The post went on to say “his wife and kids are better off without him as is the rest of the world.” The Morning Call was unable to independently verify the comments, which were taken down.
Keegan, who works as a nurse at Easton Area High School, spoke briefly at the meeting in support of the resolution but did not address the social media comments or fallout.
“I would like to second this resolution, or cosponsor it, or whatever,” she said, also commending fellow Council member Jeff Warren for his remarks before the vote that included the need to resolve differences among political parties.
“Your words are inspiring,” she said. “You make me want to be a better person. You make me want to be a better commissioner.”
About two dozen protesters gathered before the Council meeting outside Northampton County Courthouse in a demonstration organized by the Northampton County Republican Committee to demand Keegan’s resignation. A handful carried plate-sized paper signs, reading “I am Charlie Kirk.”
Roger Gilbert of Bethlehem, who distributed the signs, said he assembled them at home.
“We’re here tonight because what she said was wrong,” said Gilbert, referring to the comments attributed to Keegan, a Democrat elected to Council in 2023. The sign’s message, he said, represented his desire to “carry on” Kirk’s legacy.
“It will be talking to people, having them realize that there’s no reason for violence, but that calling names is not the right thing to do, either,” Gilbert said. “And if they choose to move to the Republican Party, all the better.”
Easton resident Kathleen Harrison livestreamed the rally on TikTok: “Forget about politics,” she said. “This is a human rights issue. This is about who we are.”
An X post made by Harrison about Keegan’s alleged comments — directing viewers to call Keegan’s place of employment — received more than 12,000 likes and hundreds of supportive comments.
Kathleen Soper and Matthew Breitenbach of Easton stood nearby as a counter-protest.“Kelly didn’t call for violence, she didn’t make threats, she just said something that a lot of people disagreed with,” Soper said. “During the last week, I’ve been online and people said a lot of things that I disagreed with too, and I’m not out here trying to get them fired.”
In prepared remarks, Council President Lori Vargo Heffner, also a Democrat, said Council’s authority to call for the removal of a member is limited.
“According to the charter, these conditions are not met by private actions on social media,” she said.
“While the county has a clear social media policy for employees, it does not apply to Council, as we are elected officials and not supervised by the administration. … We are expected to follow our code of civility, to have these discussions with respect for everyone’s opinion. While some of us are subdued in our approach and others more vociferous, we all have a right to have our opinions heard in this room. What any of us think, feel, or believe outside of this room in the privacy of our own lives is not governed by this code.”
She also appealed for Keegan’s critics to be respectful. By and large, people acted respectfully, but the county took no chances, stationing sheriffs inside council chambers and outside the courthouse’s Rotunda on Washington Street in Easton.
As public comment began, Keegan received some support. The first speaker urged council not bow to those she said were trying to silence Keegan.
Sofia Fernandez Fernandez, an Easton student, also claimed those who called for Keegan’s resignation and job removal were biased and hypocrites.
“I do not believe I have been influenced in any way by Kelly Keegan,” she said.
But many others disagreed, with some urging Keegan to give up her Council seat.
“I know you can’t remove Kelly Keegan, but I ask that you ask her to resign,” Christina Martinez of Easton said.
Brandon Matlack of Bethlehem, who said he is a local political activist, also urged the county to take action.
Failing to act “erodes public trust and makes people like myself feel unsafe in the community for campaigning what I believe in,” said Matlack, wearing a baseball hat with “I am Charlie Kirk” on its bill.
Al Smith of Nazareth called the social media post “quite stupid.”
“I’m a libertarian. I’m not going to condemn her,” said Smith, adding Keegan shouldn’t lose her job at Easton Area School District. But he said the hatred in the post should not be condoned, either.
The school district is reviewing the matter, according to an online statement posted last week by school Superintendent Tracy Piazza after the comments came to light. The district did not name Keegan in its statement and has declined follow-up requests for comment. The Easton Area School Board is scheduled next to meet Sept. 30.
Piazza said the statements were “insensitive, without merit, and in conflict with all that we stand for as a district.” Piazza also said upon completion of its review, the District will take appropriate action “in accordance with district policies and laws.”
Meanwhile, earlier Thursday, April Gabriel-Ferretti, who described herself as an acquaintance of Keegan’s, said in a Facebook post that Keegan has been asked to stay home from her work and has been facing death threats related to the controversial comment.
Comments critical of Kirk following his assassination Sept. 10 at a university in Utah have sparked a backlash from his supporters, including Vice President JD Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi. A number of national critics have faced repercussions, including Jimmy Kimmel, whom ABC suspended indefinitely from his late-night TV show.
Elsewhere locally, state Rep. Josh Siegel, who is also the Democratic candidate for Lehigh County executive, is under fire for comments he made. In a Facebook post, Siegel called political violence “a cancer” and stated “Charlie Kirk didn’t deserve to die” before detailing what he said was Kirk’s part in creating a “toxic political culture.”
Freelancer reporter Elisabeth Seidel contributed to this report. Contact Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone at asalamone@mcall.com.
