Federal Judge Dismisses Defamation Lawsuit Against Ryan Walters by Former Teacher

A federal judge has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by former Norman High School teacher Summer Boismier against State Superintendent Ryan Walters. The judge ruled that Boismier, who became a public figure through her protest against House Bill 1775, failed to prove that Walters acted with 'actual malice' when he accused her of sharing pornographic material with students and mistakenly claimed she had been fired. The ruling emphasized that Boismier's public actions raised the standard required for defamation claims, which she did not meet. Walters hailed the decision as a victory for parental rights and educational integrity, asserting that Oklahoma schools should be free from political indoctrination. The controversy arose after Boismier displayed a QR code linking to the Brooklyn Public Library's Books Unbanned initiative, aimed at providing access to banned books. This case reflects ongoing debates about educational content and censorship in schools.