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.”
