Help Caleb Fight for Justice Against Discrimination

Hi, I’m Caleb Murray, a music teacher at Live Oak School District in Santa Cruz, CA, and I need your help to hire a lawyer to fight for my rights. In 2021, I requested a religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate due to my sincerely held beliefs. I offered to do weekly testing to stay safe, but the district ignored my request and forced me to use 26 sick days to quarantine after a potential exposure—something vaccinated teachers didn’t have to do. This unfair treatment cost me work, depleted my leave, and caused emotional distress.

I filed a complaint with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), but they closed my case in April 2025, saying there wasn’t enough evidence. I’m appealing their decision, as I believe the district discriminated against me and retaliated for my beliefs, violating California law. The district didn’t engage with my accommodation request, misused my sick leave despite state laws like Supplemental Paid Sick Leave, and treated me differently than vaccinated colleagues.

I’ve been fighting this battle alone since my union refused to help, and I need to hire a lawyer to appeal the CRD’s closure and potentially file a lawsuit by April 8, 2026. Legal fees are steep, and I can’t afford them on my teacher’s salary. Your support will help me seek justice, hold the district accountable, and protect others from similar discrimination. Every donation brings me closer to fair treatment—thank you for standing with me!