News Release
For Immediate Release: 11.3.25
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4453
Federal Judge Rules Against Connecticut Teacher who Displayed Crucifix at her Workspace
Teacher has been suspended for weeks and faces losing job for having small crucifix hanging on wall near her desk.
New Britain, CT—Today, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut upheld a public school’s punishment of 30-year veteran teacher Marisol Arroyo-Castro for refusing to remove a small crucifix from her personal items in the classroom. The Consolidated School District of New Britain has refused to allow Marisol to return to the classroom since December 2024 and has threatened termination numerous times. First Liberty Institute and the law firm WilmerHale represent Arroyo-Castro.
You can read the opinion here.
“Today’s decision flies in the face of clear Supreme Court precedent,” said Keisha Russell, Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute. “Requiring a teacher to purge their workspace of anything religious is blatant discrimination that violates the First Amendment. We will appeal and continue to fight for Marisol’s religious liberty rights.”
“I am extremely disappointed with the decision by the court,” said Marisol Arroyo-Castro. “I still hope that I will be able to return to the classroom and continue to invest in the lives of students as I have my whole teaching career.”
In the decision, the judge said, “I conclude that Ms. Castro acted pursuant to her official duties when she posted items on the classroom wall that students would see during instructional time. The classroom wall decorations are thus speech pursuant to Ms. Castro’s official duties and subject to the District’s control.”
Marisol has taught in the Connecticut public schools for 32 years. For the last 10 years, she has placed a crucifix by her desk along with other personal items such as student artwork and a church calendar. As a devout Catholic, the crucifix reminds her to pray and helps her remain calm throughout the day as she faithfully teaches her students. On Friday, December 6, 2024, she was brought into a meeting with the vice principal and abruptly told that unless she removed the crucifix by her desk by Monday morning she would be disciplined for insubordination. She was later told she could put the crucifix in a drawer or under her desk, so students wouldn’t see it. After she did so, Marisol started to sob, feeling as though she “hid it under a bushel,” rather than let her light shine. After many tears and prayer, she returned the crucifix to its original location. She was then suspended without pay for two days during the holiday season as the school waited for her to comply. Now, she is on administrative leave during the grievance process. The school district said it is considering whether to terminate Marisol.
In the personal space next to their desks, other teachers display photos of family and friends, images of Wonder Woman and Baby Yoda, a miniature of the Mona Lisa, New England Patriots football team pennant, inspirational quotes, a photograph of a statue of the Virgin Mary, and a mug referencing a Bible verse.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at media@firstliberty.org or by calling 972-941-4453.
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