Idaho Coffee Shop Owner Wins $4 Million Settlement

Sarah Fendley, owner of Big City Coffee, has been awarded $4 million by a jury after Boise State University was found to have violated her First Amendment rights over her public support for law enforcement. The jury granted her $3 million for lost business and emotional distress, along with $1 million in punitive damages against a former university employee. Fendley faced backlash after displaying 'Thin Blue Line' stickers at her coffee shop amid protests following George Floyd's death, leading to her contract termination. She argued that the university retaliated against her for expressing pro-police views on social media. University attorneys have disputed the ruling, claiming Fendley attempted to infringe on student speech rights. Fendley expressed gratitude towards the jury, emphasizing that the case transcended political divides, focusing instead on the infringement of her rights as a small business owner.