“They did this to humiliate me,” Durden said. “Essex County College publicly lynched me in front of my students.”

Durden was given a letter, signed by Jeffrey Lee, vice president for academic affairs, informing her that she was suspended “until further notice.” She had to turn over her grade book to Christopher Rivera, chairperson of the Humanities Division.

The letter does not mention the Tucker Carlson show, but Durden said administration officials made a point of bringing it up that day. In a meeting with Lee and Karen Bridgett, assistant director of Human Resources, Durden said Bridgett told her someone “complained” that she associated herself to the college during the television show appearance.