Second City, Monica Lewinsky Defend Suspended 'SNL' Writer from Orland

While some were demanding that "Saturday Night Live" fire her, local support emerged for suspended writer Katie Rich.

The Orland Park native, Northwestern University graduate and Second City alum was reportedly suspended after tweeting a poorly received joke calling new President Donald Trump's 10-year-old son Barron "this country's first homeschool shooter."

The tweet -- and, briefly, Rich's Twitter account -- were quickly deleted and replaced with an apology on Monday, but the damage had been done.

But while some reviled her and at least one petition began circulating calling for Rich's firing, her old improv stomping ground showed support via Twitter.

Second City's official account Tweeted, "Got your back," along with the hashtag "keepkatierich."

John Sabine, former member of the Second City Touring Company, also sent virtual support to Rich, commenting, "Sincerely confused how the moral rubric for a comedian is stricter than for the president."

Monica Lewinsky -- who know bills herself as an "anti-bullying social activist" also seemed to back Rich, commenting that "online mobs are not the answer."

Rich has remained silent on Twitter since her apology on Monday, but others have also tweeted in her defense.

SNL has not given any official statement on Rich's status, according to the Chicago Tribune. She was hired in 2013 as a writer for "SNL" staple "The Weekend Update."

Image: Patch file photo of Rich with "Improv Nerd" podcast host Jimmy Carrane.