Office Depot Fires Worker Who Refused to Print Charlie Kirk Vigil Poster, Citing ‘Propaganda’

By Ronald Rodriguez Last updated Sep 15, 2025

Portage, Michigan –An Office Depot employee has been terminated after refusing to print a poster commemorating the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, labeling it as “propaganda” according to a viral video.

The incident sparked controversy involving local Republican leaders organizing a vigil and raised questions about corporate policies on political materials.

The refusal to print the poster occurred last Friday afternoon at the Office Depot store in Portage, Michigan. The controversy quickly unfolded when employees allegedly refused service, prompting an immediate response from the retailer.

A Controversial Refusal to Print

Video footage shared by Kelly Sackett, chairwoman of the Kalamazoo County Republican Party, captures an Office Depot worker stating, “We don’t print propaganda. It’s propaganda, I’m sorry. We don’t print that here.” When challenged by patrons explaining it was for a prayer vigil, the employee maintained the refusal.

Matthew DePerno, the attorney representing the youth GOP leaders who attempted to organize the vigil, criticized the action strongly. DePerno, who personally knew Kirk, emphasized the late activist’s role as a positive influence on conservative youth across college campuses.

“This is outrageous for a major chain to prevent someone from printing a simple poster featuring Charlie Kirk’s name and date of birth. These kids wanted to be involved in a prayer vigil, not a political stunt.” – Matthew DePerno, attorney

Office Depot’s Response and Internal Review

Responding swiftly to the incident, Office Depot stated on their official X account that they:

Reached out to the customer to address concerns and fulfill the order.
Launched an immediate internal review.
Terminated the associate involved in the refusal.

The company emphasized their commitment to customer satisfaction but did not disclose further details about the internal policies that led to the initial denial.

Local GOP and Vigil Efforts Continue Despite Setbacks

After being refused service at Office Depot, the group printed their posters at a FedEx store and held a vigil in Bronson Park, Kalamazoo that same evening. Dayne Webb, youth chair of the Kalamazoo Young Republican Party, expressed that the event was about unity and honoring Kirk’s legacy of bringing people together despite political differences.

“Charlie was all about bringing people together, no matter if they disagreed or agreed. At this time when people want to turn to violence, or turn to divisiveness, we can’t do that.” – Dayne Webb, Kalamazoo Young Republican Party

Webb also highlighted the beauty and success of the vigil, despite the earlier Office Depot incident, sharing his thoughts on social media alongside news coverage of the event.

Broader Implications and Workplace Responsibilities

The incident has sparked discussion around the responsibilities of employees in retail settings and how personal political views intersect with company policies. DePerno noted that multiple Office Depot employees were involved in the refusal and suggested that further accountability may be necessary.

Interestingly, DePerno reported that, when he contacted Office Depot customer service, he was routed to an overseas call center and was told company policy prevented such printing—despite previous usage of Office Depot for political materials, including posters and yard signs, by the local GOP.

Key Takeaways from the Incident

Office Depot quickly took action by firing the employee who refused service.
The refusal was based on the employee’s view that the poster was “propaganda.”
Local GOP leaders quickly found alternative printing services to proceed with the vigil.
The vigil was held successfully and emphasized unity in honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy.
The event raised important conversations about political expression and customer service in retail environments.

For more detailed information, you can read the full report from The Independent here.