Teacher’s Aid Loses Job Over Backpack

The radical left is an endless wave of tyranny. Their oppression knows no bounds, and they are uncaring about the collateral damage they leave in their wake. In many cases, people’s lives or careers are left in tatters. Sadly, their reasons for justifying these actions are often trivial and childlike.

For example, consider what happened to Alyssa Esquivel, an American Sign Language Teacher’s Aid at Del Mar High School in San Gabriel, California. Esquivel was suspended and eventually fired for bringing a Trump backpack and thermos bottle with her to school.

In a lawsuit filed in federal court last week, Esquivel alleged that district officials violated her constitutional rights to free speech and state labor protections by disciplining her for carrying personal items referencing the former president.

In her complaint, Esquivel, an instructional aide who works with deaf students and uses American Sign Language, stated that the issue began in June 2023. When another aide moved Esquivel’s water bottle, which had stickers of Donald Trump and Ronald Reagan on it, saying she “didn’t want Trump looking” at her.

Esquivel’s attorneys, from the Murrieta-based firm Advocates For Faith and Freedom, submitted a photo of the water bottle as evidence in court. One sticker portrays a smiling Trump with the words, “Miss me yet?”

Her attorney, Julianne Fleischer, wrote:

“Some coworkers made repeated statements attacking her beliefs, accused her of taunting them, and, at other times, coworkers moved the bottle out of reach because they didn’t want Trump looking at them.”

“Aide 1’s mistreatment of Ms. Esquivel escalated on June 15, 2023, when Aide 1 moved Ms. Esquivel’s water bottle from a desk to a location that was out of reach for Ms. Esquivel. Ms. Esquivel respectfully asked that Aide 1 not move or touch her personal belongings. In response, Aide 1 told her to “shut up” and that she “didn’t want Trump looking at [her].” Ms. Esquivel’s water bottle has several stickers on it, including a sticker of former President Donald Trump. Another classroom aide (Aide 2) joined in and stated, “I asked you not to bring in political stuff, like a Trump bag.” Aide 2 was referring to Ms. Esquivel’s backpack, which is a presidential souvenir backpack commemorating the 45th president. The backpack has an American flag pattern and “Trump” written across the front pocket. This altercation occurred in front of students. Ms. Esquivel reported this incident to the onsite coordinator.

The next day, June 16, 2023, Aide 1 became more hostile toward Ms. Esquivel. Ms. Esquivel and the lead teacher came into the classroom just as Aide 1 flipped over a desk. Aide 1 began throwing files around, and referring to Ms. Esquivel’s water bottle, she yelled, “She’s [Ms. Esquivel] not going to put it on my desk and taunt me with him [Donald Trump].” Ms. Esquivel was not aware this desk belonged solely to Aide 1 and had repeatedly placed her belongings at or near this desk from the beginning of the school year with no issues. At this time, there were no students present, but the lead teacher witnessed the altercation. Our client has a portion of this altercation on video, and it can be made available upon request. Following this incident, Principal Abdul-Qawi arranged a staff meeting with Ms. Esquivel, the lead teacher, Aide 1, Aide 2, and another classroom aide. At the start of the meeting, Aide 1 asked, “Can she [Ms. Esquivel] stop bringing in the Trump stuff?” Principal Abdul-Qawi responded that Ms. Esquivel could continue to bring her water bottle and backpack because they were her personal belongings. There was no clear resolution following this meeting.”

Advocate for Faith & Freedom

After this meeting, Esquivel continued to carry the backpack and water bottle. However, the complaint says a district official told her she couldn’t wear “political attire” on campus. Esquivel said she covered up the last two letters on her backpack, which now read “TRU,” and returned to school with it.

Her complaint alleges that the district official threatened Esquivel with “fines and imprisonment,” banned her from campus, and placed her on paid leave. Esquivel stated that police officers escorted her off school grounds.

The following year, lawyers representing Esquivel and her employer exchanged letters debating whether either party had violated district regulations, California employment codes, or federal laws regarding protected speech. In April, the district’s board decided to suspend Esquivel without pay and pursue termination, as stated in her complaint.

School district officials have cited state law, which says no school district’s “services, supplies, or equipment shall be used for the purpose of urging the support or defeat of any ballot measure or candidate.”

Esquivel is seeking a formal hearing with district officials on whether she breached district policies, damages, attorneys’ fees, an admission by the district that it infringed on her 1st Amendment rights, and a permanent injunction that would allow her to carry her backpack and water bottle on campus.

All this because a few snowflakes didn’t like her water bottle and backpack. When is someone simply going to tell these thin-skinned morons just to grow up!?

I am not a lawyer, but the state law the school officials are clinging to states that no school district’s “services, supplies, or equipment shall be used for the purpose of urging the support or defeat of any ballot measure or candidate.”

State law says nothing about a teacher’s personal property. This entire scenario was done to appease a few crybaby leftists who were hoping that Esquivel wouldn’t take it this far, and It was done to the detriment of deaf children.

There is a special place in hell for these radicals, and the way things are going, it’s going to be a very crowded place.