ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: tuessday, OCTOBER 21, 2025
CONTACT: NICOLE VELASCO
media@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Murrieta, CA —Advocates for Faith & Freedom announced today a decisive settlement victory on behalf of Alyssa Esquivel, a Christian American Sign Language aide who was unlawfully targeted, silenced, and terminated by the San Gabriel Unified School District after colleagues and administrators objected to her faith and political expression.
As part of the settlement, the District agreed to compensate Esquivel monetary damages, attorneys’ fees, and to completely clear Esquivel’s termination records. Though she has already moved on to a better position, this resolution is a full vindication of her name.
Esquivel was targeted after coworkers mocked her Christian faith and demanded she hide her Trump-themed backpack and water bottle—going so far as to flip over a desk in outrage. Instead of disciplining the disruptive staff, school officials retaliated against Esquivel. She was escorted off campus by police and suspended without pay and eventually terminated, despite an unblemished record of service to deaf students who depended on her expertise.
Her lawsuit, filed by Advocates for Faith & Freedom, exposed the District’s violation of the First Amendment, Title VII, and California law, detailing how Esquivel was punished simply for being a Christian and expressing her beliefs. The settlement forces the District to compensate Esquivel and wipe away all termination records, ensuring her professional reputation remains intact.
“This is more than a legal win, it’s a cultural stand,” said Julianne Fleischer, Senior Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom. “Public schools cannot bully employees into silence because they dare to express their faith or conservative values. Alyssa’s victory affirms that faith and free speech still have a place in the public square.”
Esquivel also emphasized: “First and foremost, I give all honor and glory to God. I am grateful to Advocates for Faith & Freedom for being a voice for justice. I stood firm because my faith and convictions are worth more than a paycheck, and I hope my case inspires others facing similar violations of their rights to take a bold stand.”
Advocates for Faith & Freedom emphasized that this case is part of a broader battle to defend free speech, religious liberty, and the right of Americans to live out their convictions without government retaliation.
###
Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.