Six workers in the US were fired for 'liking' the Facebook page of their boss’s political opponent in his 2009 re-election bid, several media have reported.

The incident took place in the city of Norfolk, located in the state of Virginia. The six employees claimed that the First Amendment, which protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression, had been violated after their boss, Sheriff B. J. Roberts of Hampton, reportedly fired them for 'liking' the Facebook page of his political opponent.

Roberts, who ended up winning his re-election bid, said some of the workers were let go because he wanted to replace them with sworn deputies, while others were fired because of their poor performance or because he thought their beliefs “hindered the harmony and efficiency of the office.”

The workers brought the case to court, but Judge Raymond A. Jackson of the federal district court in Norfolk ruled against them, stating that clicking the “like” button did not amount to free speech. He said that clicking the Facebook 'like' button is not an actual statement and does not warrant first amendment protection.