Boise

Coffee Shop Owner Triumphs in Free Speech Lawsuit Against Boise State Administrators, Awarded $4 Million in Damages

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BOISE, Idaho — In a significant legal victory, Sarah Jo Fendley, the former owner of Big City Coffee, won a lawsuit against two senior Boise State University administrators for infringing on her First Amendment rights. The jury decision issued late Friday awarded Fendley $4 million in damages, concluding a nine-day trial that spotlighted the intersection of free speech and campus politics. The case originated from an incident in 2020, when Fendley alleged that her support for law enforcement led to the forced closure of her coffee shop’s campus location. The controversy centered on her public … Read more

Jury Awards $4 Million to Boise Coffee Shop Owner in First Amendment Lawsuit Against University Administrators

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BOISE, Idaho — In a legal conclusion that caps off a highly publicized three-week trial, Big City Coffee won a significant victory against Boise State University administrators, securing a $3 million award for alleged violations of First Amendment rights. The controversy stemmed from the coffee shop’s display of a law enforcement support sticker, which ignited campus activism and public debate. In August 2021, Sarah Fendley, the owner of Big City Coffee, initiated a $10 million lawsuit targeting Leslie Webb, the former vice president for student affairs, and Alicia Estey, chief financial and operating officer at … Read more

Boise Court Sides with Pro-Palestine Demonstrators, Championing Protest Rights

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Boise, Idaho — A group of pro-Palestine demonstrators achieved a significant legal win in Boise recently, when a judge ruled in favor of their right to hold protests in the downtown area. This decision underscores the ongoing debate over free speech and public demonstrations in urban centers across the United States. The controversy began when city officials attempted to restrict the group’s activities, citing potential disruptions to local businesses and public order. The protesters, however, argued that their right to assemble and express their views in public spaces was protected under the First Amendment. Legal … Read more