Judge Upholds Suspension of Connecticut Teacher Who Had Crucifix in Classroom

The plaintiff intends to appeal, citing religious discrimination and a violation of her First Amendment rights.
Judge Upholds Suspension of Connecticut Teacher Who Had Crucifix in Classroom
An undated photograph shows a crucifix in a small part of teacher Marisol Arroyo-Castro's workspace at DiLorento Elementary and Middle School in New Britain, Conn., before she was suspended for refusing to remove it. Courtesy of First Liberty Institute
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A federal judge on Nov. 3 upheld the suspension of a school teacher in New Britain, Connecticut, who refused to remove a crucifix from the wall above her school workspace.

U.S. District Court Judge Sarah Russell ruled that it is not legally permissible for a government employee, including public school teachers, to display a religious artifact in a classroom if the object is unrelated to instruction.

Aaron Gifford
Aaron Gifford
Author
Aaron Gifford has written for several daily newspapers, magazines, and specialty publications and also served as a federal background investigator and Medicare fraud analyst. He graduated from the University at Buffalo and is based in Upstate New York.