Go Woke Go Broke: BSU Ordered to Pay $3 Million to Coffee Shop

Big City Coffee Wins $3 Million in Lawsuit Against Boise State University

In a major legal victory, Boise-based Big City Coffee secured a $3 million award in a lawsuit against Boise State University (BSU) administrators. The case, which revolved around First Amendment rights, highlighted the conflict between the coffee shop’s support for law enforcement and student protests that followed its on-campus presence.

How the Lawsuit Started

The dispute began in 2020 when Sarah Fendley, the owner of Big City Coffee, faced backlash for displaying a "Thin Blue Line" emblem, a symbol associated with support for law enforcement. This sparked student protests, leading to public debates and calls for the business to be removed from the BSU campus. In August 2021, Fendley filed a $10 million lawsuit against BSU administrators, claiming they pressured her to shut down the coffee shop’s campus location due to the controversy.

First Amendment Concerns

At the heart of the lawsuit was Fendley's claim that BSU administrators retaliated against her business for exercising her free speech rights by supporting law enforcement. Fendley's lawyer argued that the university officials, Leslie Webb and Alicia Estey, prioritized appeasing student activists over protecting Fendley’s First Amendment rights, leading to the eventual closure of her campus shop.

The Jury's Verdict

After a three-week trial, a jury ruled in favor of Fendley, awarding her $3 million in damages, with an additional $1 million assessed against Webb personally. While Fendley expressed gratitude for the outcome, the defense team for the BSU administrators strongly disagreed with the verdict and has stated plans to appeal. They maintain that their actions were meant to balance the rights of all involved, not to retaliate against Big City Coffee. It's possible that BSU’s deep pockets could turn a future ruling in their favor.

Broader Implications

This case underscores ongoing national debates about freedom of speech, particularly on college campuses. It also highlights the challenges small businesses may face when navigating politically charged environments. The jury verdict could serve as a warning to public institutions who believe they wield power over the taxpayers who fund them and ignore constitutional liberty in favor of appeasing a woke student body.

Big City Coffee's Future Plans

While no specific details have been provided, Sarah Fendley announced on social media that she plans to take some time off. However, she hinted at exciting future plans to revive the Big City Coffee brand. Fans of the coffee shop will be eager to see what the next chapter holds for the popular Boise business.