Alyssa Esquivel, a school district employee, was placed on leave for having “Trump” lettering on backpack and water bottle.

Advocates recently sent a demand letter on behalf of our client, Alyssa Esquivel, demanding that San Gabriel Unified School District reinstate her to her aide position after the District placed her on administrative leave in July 2023. Ms. Esquivel’s co-workers regularly harassed her because they did not like her backpack—an American flag print with “TRUMP” lettering across the front—or the Donald Trump sticker on her water bottle. Instead of addressing the unprofessional outbursts of her co-workers, the District punished Ms. Esquivel by telling her she was not allowed to bring her backpack or water bottle to school facilities because they violated board policy. When she asked for the specific policy, the District gave her a single policy that did not apply to her. The First Amendment protects Ms. Esquivel’s right to engage in political expression, and the District violated her rights by retaliating against her, placing her on administrative leave and threatening termination. Advocates is prepared to hold this District accountable for its wrongful actions against Ms. Esquivel. 

Press Release | California Special Education Aide Sues School District Following Administrative Leave Placement Due to Trump Backpack

ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, July 29, 2024

CONTACT: nicole velasco @
media@faith-freedom.COM

Murrieta, CA— On Friday, July 26, 2024, Advocates for Faith and Freedom filed a lawsuit on behalf of Alyssa Esquivel, an American Sign Language Special Education Instructional Aide for the San Gabriel Unified School District in Southern California. The lawsuit challenges the School District's directive banning Ms. Esquivel from bringing her Trump-themed backpack and water bottle to campus, as well as the decision to place her on involuntary leave and suspend her without pay for bringing those items to school.

Because Ms. Esquivel’s political beliefs were viewed unfavorably by the School District, the School District sought to censor her political expression. She has the right to engage in political expression, and the School District’s conduct violates her First Amendment rights. The School District unfairly retaliated against Ms. Esquivel.

"Educational settings are meant to be beacons of free speech and expression. They should not be weaponized to stifle and censor ideas and opinions that may be unpopular or disliked,” said Advocates legal counsel Julianne Fleischer. “The San Gabriel Unified School District unjustly targeted Ms. Esquivel for her political expression. The First Amendment prohibits this, and we firmly stand with Ms. Esquivel to defend her rights.

“I am disappointed by the actions of the District, but I look forward to justice,” said Alyssa Esquivel. “I am excited to work with Advocates to ensure that no one else experiences this retaliatory treatment for their political beliefs. I hope to be reinstated to my position so that I can continue serving the deaf students within my school district.”

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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

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About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts.

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