First Liberty



Fewer than three years ago, we won an important victory for teachers
when the Supreme Court issued their decision in the Coach Kennedy
case.

The justices ruled that teachers have the right to engage in personal
religious expression under the Free Exercise Clause, even when
students are present.

Yet, that's not stopping New Britain School District in
Connecticut from threatening a veteran teacher with dismissal for
displaying a crucifix in next to her desk.

For the past 10 years, Marisol Arroyo-Castro has kept a small crucifix
hanging on the wall next to her workspace. 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, the vice principal abruptly told Marisol
that unless she removed the crucifix by her desk by Monday morning,
she would be disciplined for insubordination. She was then told that
she could move the crucifix to a drawer or hang it under her desk.

Marisol attempted to comply by hanging the crucifix under her desk,
but she soon realized that she couldn't hide her faith under
bushel. She prayed and decided to place the crucifix back where it had
been for the past 10 years.

And on following Monday, she was suspended for insubordination.

That's both wrong and unconstitutional.

Under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution,
and under the Connecticut Constitution, the District may not limit its
employees' free speech rights, nor their rights to freely
exercise their religion.

We won't sit back while Marisol's right to express her
faith gets trampled. That's why First Liberty has joined this
fight.

In response to the District's disciplinary action, First Liberty
along with volunteer attorneys from the law firm WilmerHale sent a
letter to district officials demanding that the school reinstate
Marisol for refusing to remove a small crucifix from her workspace.

Rest assured, we won't stop fighting for Marisol and her right
to express her faith in her classroom.

But to win this fight, we need your prayers and your support as this
case could escalate very quickly just like things did for Coach Joe
Kennedy.

Will you stand with Marisol as she fights to defend expressions of
faith in the classroom?

Yes, I will make a gift today!
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First Liberty Institute