An American Sign Language aide was suspended indefinitely without pay after her colleagues complained about her red, white and blue backpack emblazoned with the word “TRUMP.”
Alyssa Esquivel, who works at Del Mar High School, also had a water bottle that was wrapped in a Trump sticker. Watch her story below and click here to read my book on how to stop the Marxists from killing America.
Esquivel has filed a federal lawsuit against the San Gabriel Unified School District claiming she was targeted because of her political beliefs.
“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,” said her attorney, Julianne Fleischer.
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 patternand “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.
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Officials 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 covered a portion of her backpack, so that only the letters “TRU” of the president’s last name were visible, the San Gabriel Valley Tribune reported.
Esquivel was still told she could face fines and imprisonment for bringing her water bottle and backpack to school, the lawsuit alleged.
District officials told Esquivel she was banned from campus, and that she was on involuntary paid administrative leave.Police were called to escort Ms. Esquivel off the premises.
“Five days later, the district sent Esquivel a letter of termination, citing inefficiency, insubordination, discourteous treatment of colleagues, improper political activity and violation of district policy,” the newspaper reported.