Federal judge: HGTC violated student’s First Amendment rights over social media posts

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) – Horry-Georgetown Technical College violated a student’s First Amendment rights by disciplining her over social media posts, according to a court ruling. A federal judge ruled Monday that HGTC violated cosmetology student Leigha Lemoine’s First Amendment rights. The case started in September 2024 when Lemoine, while off campus, sent a Snapchat message in a private group that included some HGTC students. In the chat, Lemoine vented about a derogatory term her boyfriend’s roommate called her, telling the chat, “he needa get blasted.” According to Lemoine’s October 2024 federal lawsuit, everyone in the chat found it funny and supported her instead of expressing fear. On Sept. 11, 2024, HGTC called Lemoine in to discuss the post. She explained that “get blasted” meant calling the person out, not a physical threat, according to the lawsuit. HGTC accepted the explanation and told Lemoine she did not violate the student code, the lawsuit stated. But days later, someone found a video of Lemoine doing target practice with a friend’s handgun in North Carolina, wearing western attire with the caption: “Got u hooked.” HGTC met with Lemoine again, but this time the school handed her an interim suspension and no-trespass order
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