by Jorge Gomez • 2 minutes
For Marisol Arroyo-Castro, being a teacher is more than a job. It’s a calling. She loves teaching, and she’s great at it, too. She’s taught in the Connecticut public school system for over 30 years. She’s passionate, dedicated and highly qualified. She earned a master’s degree in education with a minor in child psychology and has mentored student teachers for years.
For the past decade, Marisol has placed a small crucifix on the wall by her desk along with a calendar and art from her students. As a devout Catholic, it reminds her to pray and helps her remain calm throughout the day.
But right now, her life is being turned upside down. Here’s her story:
The New Britain School District ordered Marisol to take down the crucifix and put it under her desk.
After many tears and prayers, Marisol felt that would be in violation of her religious beliefs. So, she put it back on the wall where she’d kept it for all those years.
Instead of respecting Marisol’s religious beliefs and her constitutional rights, school district officials suspended Marisol and threatened to fire her. They called her into an office, put her crucifix in a box and escorted her out of the building.
“They walked me out of the school like I’m a criminal,” says Marisol.
After three decades of dedicated service, that was Marisol’s last day with her students. The school district suspended her without pay for two days, then placed her on administrative leave, and eventually reassigned her to a non-teaching role.
First Liberty sued the school district in federal court and reported it to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over its wrongful and illegal actions. The landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in our Coach Kennedy case made it clear that teachers are free to engage in personal expressions of their faith, even where students can see, without threat of being fired.
Marisol isn’t backing down. She says that she’s not going to be bullied into taking down her crucifix.
Her career and livelihood are on the line. She’s counting on us to deliver a victory. Your support today can help get her back to the classroom and protect her right to express her faith.
Marisol is taking a brave stand for her beliefs. She’s not backing down—and neither is First Liberty.
Will you fight for Marisol and stand with First Liberty against religious discrimination?
Your gift today will give our expert attorneys the resources they need to fight back against this out-of-control school district.
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