An Idaho coffee shop owner, Sarah Jo Fendley, was awarded $4 million after a legal battle stemming from her decision to display a pro-police “thin blue line” flag at her business. The flag, meant to honor her former fiancé, a retired Boise Police Department sergeant who was paralyzed in the line of duty, led to controversy and ultimately forced her to relocate her business off the Boise State University (BSU) campus.
Fendley, the owner of Big City Coffee, initially filed a $10 million tort claim against Boise State University in 2021. The claim named BSU President Marlene Tromp, Vice President for Equity Initiatives Francisco Salinas, and BSU administrators Alicia Estey and Leslie Webb as defendants. The lawsuit followed the termination of her business contract with the university after she faced backlash for flying the “thin blue line” flag, which some interpreted as a divisive symbol. While many of the claims in the lawsuit were dismissed, the case against Estey and Webb proceeded and culminated in a ruling in Fendley’s favor.
After the ruling, Fendley expressed her relief, saying, “I’m thankful that the truth finally came out and grateful to the jury for their time and effort. It’s been a long four years, and I’m just happy that it’s over.”
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The legal dispute centered around the flag that Fendley displayed at her coffee shop, which had been relocated to the BSU campus in 2020. The “thin blue line” flag is commonly seen as a symbol of support for law enforcement, but it has also drawn criticism from some, who view it as controversial. Fendley said she flew the flag to honor her former fiancé, retired Boise Police Department Sgt. Kevin Holtry, who was left paralyzed after being shot in the line of duty in 2016.
The controversy over the flag escalated soon after Fendley’s coffee shop opened on the BSU campus in 2020. Only 42 days after its opening, the shop was closed due to pressure from students who voiced their objections to the flag’s display. Fendley contended that she was forced to leave the campus due to the university’s response to the outrage, while BSU administrators maintained that she voluntarily chose to leave.
During the trial, key witnesses testified about the events that led to Fendley’s departure from the campus. Among those who took the stand were Alicia Estey, Leslie Webb, BSU President Marlene Tromp, and Fendley’s former fiancé, Sgt. Holtry. One of the trial’s most significant moments came when Nicole Nimmons, BSU’s associate vice president for campus services and the primary point of contact between Fendley and the university, testified for seven hours.
Fendley’s lawsuit claimed that the university had violated her First Amendment rights and that her business suffered significant losses due to the university’s actions. After deliberating, the jury awarded Fendley $3 million in damages for business losses, mental and emotional distress, personal humiliation, and loss of reputation. An additional $1 million in punitive damages was awarded as well.
Following the verdict, Estey and Webb announced their intent to appeal the decision to the Idaho Supreme Court. In a joint statement, they said, “We respectfully but strongly disagree with today’s verdict and plan to appeal. We were honoring the First Amendment rights of all involved.” The legal battle is expected to continue as the appeal moves forward.
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The ruling in favor of Fendley drew praise from various figures and groups, including the Idaho Freedom Foundation. The foundation’s president, Ron Nate, lauded the decision, calling it a victory for free speech and the First Amendment. “I am thrilled at the outcome of this trial,” Nate said in a statement. “This verdict not only is a big win for free speech and the 1st Amendment, but it is also a warning to other institutions who would use dirty tactics to promote a woke agenda and create a cancel culture on their campuses. Big thank you to Sarah Fendley for standing up for what is right! This is just one of many victories to look forward to.”
Local Republican leaders also voiced their approval of the verdict. Ryan Spoon, first vice chairman of the Ada County Republican Party, commented on the trial’s outcome, saying, “Every once in a great while, our justice system actually delivers justice.”
Fendley’s case and her legal victory have drawn national attention, highlighting ongoing debates over free speech, cancel culture, and the role of university policies in managing public discourse. The case underscores the tension between supporting law enforcement and addressing concerns raised by groups who interpret symbols like the “thin blue line” flag differently.
As the case moves toward an appeal in Idaho’s Supreme Court, the broader implications of the ruling will likely continue to be discussed within the context of free speech rights and university governance. For now, Fendley’s legal victory marks the end of a four-year struggle, but the legal battle may not be over yet.
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