{"id":148510,"date":"2026-04-10T08:44:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T16:44:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/04\/10\/prosecutors-still-trying-to-convict-62-year-old-woman-for-wearing-penis-costume-to-anti-trump-protest\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T08:44:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T16:44:09","slug":"prosecutors-still-trying-to-convict-62-year-old-woman-for-wearing-penis-costume-to-anti-trump-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/2026\/04\/10\/prosecutors-still-trying-to-convict-62-year-old-woman-for-wearing-penis-costume-to-anti-trump-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Prosecutors Still Trying To Convict 62-Year-Old Woman For Wearing Penis Costume To Anti-Trump Protest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Never underestimate\u00a0the stupidity<\/a>\u00a0of law enforcement. When things could just be left alone and everything would turn out OK,\u00a0officers insist<\/a>\u00a0on inserting themselves into the equation, ensuring maximum\u00a0pain and humiliation<\/a>\u00a0for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

In this case, a Fairhope, Alabama officer decided he couldn\u2019t simply do nothing when coming across a grandmother at a \u201cNo Kings\u201d protest. Here\u2019s how this started,\u00a0as detailed by Liliana Segura for The Intercept<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

In the body camera\u00a0footage, a police officer parks his black SUV on the grass, a rosary swinging from the rearview mirror. He exits his car, moves briskly past a pair of protesters, and points an accusatory finger at the suspect: a 7-foot-tall inflatable penis holding an American flag.<\/em><\/p>\n

The alleged crime? Unclear. There\u2019s no sound at first, only the silent spectacle of a person in a penis suit turning toward a cop with a stance that says, \u201cWho, me?\u201d A handmade sign comes into view in the person\u2019s right hand. It reads \u201cNo Dick Tator.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

You can see the whole thing for yourself\u00a0here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s really an amazing recording. It includes several high points, including cops trying to stuff a person who\u2019s inside an inflatable penis into the back of a cop car before deciding it might be easier to separate the person and the costume\u2026 before struggling to fit the costume itself into the trunk of a cop car. It also includes superbly stupid things like this:<\/p>\n

\n

Fairhope Police Cpl. Andrew Babb was less amused.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m serious as a heart attack,\u201d he tells Gamble when the audio begins to play on the 14-minute body camera video. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna sit here and argue with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He demands to know how she could possibly justify such an obscene display: \u201cI would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you\u2019re supposed to be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Every easily-offended, would-be censor has the same go-to for complaining about stuff they don\u2019t like: \u201chow would I explain that to my children?\u201d I don\u2019t know, man. They\u2019re\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0kids. Take any approach you want, including ignoring the question. It\u2019s not on the rest of the world to make sure you never have to have an uncomfortable conversation with your kids. If you can\u2019t figure it out, maybe you shouldn\u2019t be in the business of raising kids, much less in the business of enforcing laws.<\/p>\n

There are also plenty of far less funny moments, like the fact that three cops decided to get involved in pinning 62-year-old Renea Gamble to the ground for the crime of\u2026 well, that was all pretty much undecided at the point the officers decided to enforce their will with their power.<\/p>\n

Corporal Andrew Babb obviously didn\u2019t know the law, but that wasn\u2019t going to stop him.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI said, \u2018That\u2019s not freedom of speech,\u2019\u201d Babb continues. \u201c\u2018This is a family town and being dressed like that is not going to be tolerated.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A. It actually\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0freedom of speech.<\/p>\n

B.\u00a0Every<\/em>\u00a0town is a \u201cfamily town,\u201d unless you happen to live in a dystopian sci-fi novel.<\/p>\n

Everything about the arrest is a non-starter. And yet, local prosecutors \u2014 propelled forward by supportive local government officials \u2014 are still trying to pin criminal charges on Renea Gamble. Mayor Sherry Sullivan claimed the costume was an \u201cobscene display\u201d which would \u201cnot be tolerated in Fairhope.\u201d City Council president Jack Burrell claimed the costume \u201cviolated community standards\u201d Neither assertion is true, which means neither statement can support an arrest, much less the bringing of criminal charges.<\/p>\n

Some of the initial enthusiasm for punishing Gamble was stifled when her arrest went viral, resulting in a nationwide discussion of this ridiculous situation. But apparently the town thinks it\u2019s now safe to proceed with saddling Gamble with a criminal record.<\/p>\n

\n

Rather than dropping the case, the city attorney slapped Gamble with additional charges earlier this year: disturbing the peace and giving a false name to law enforcement. Her trial, first set to take place months ago, has been delayed multiple times. It is now set for April 15.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The \u201cpeace\u201d wasn\u2019t disturbed until Officer Babb decided he was going to take Gamble\u2019s costume personally. And \u201cgiving a false name to law enforcement\u201d is really stretching things when all Gamble did was sarcastically respond \u201cAuntie Fa\u201d when officers demanded her name after stripping her of her inflatable penis.<\/p>\n

So, the case continues, which is only going to bring more embarrassment to town leaders and law enforcement officials. The backlash that greeted the arrest will return, which means the arresting officer may want to consider employment elsewhere. Hopefully, this will all end with the town cutting a check to Gamble for violating her rights.<\/p>\n

Until then, Gamble is going to keep on doing what she does:<\/p>\n

\n

Gamble has tried to keep a low profile since her arrest. At the No Kings protest last week, though, the \u201cNo Dick Tator\u201d sign appeared in the hands of a masked woman who wore dark sunglasses and a bandana over her face.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was Gamble, again wearing an inflatable costume.<\/em><\/p>\n

She was dressed as an eggplant.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

People who view dissent as a threat, if not inherently unlawful, cannot ever hope to win. Acts like this only embolden those already involved in dissent and attract others to join the cause. They may have the power, but the people have the inflatable genitals and the will to use them.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors Still Trying To Convict 62-Year-Old Woman For Wearing Penis Costume To Anti-Trump Protest<\/a><\/p>\n

More Law-Related Stories From Techdirt<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Court Blocks Republican Push To (Further) Dominate And Destroy Local Broadcast News<\/a>
Court Dismisses Pepperdine\u2019s Nonsense Trademark Suit Against Netflix Over \u2018Running Point\u2019<\/a>
Remember The \u201cMinistry Of Truth\u201d Freakout? Rubio Is Now Doing Something Far Worse Through Elon Musk\u2019s X<\/a><\/p>\n

The post Prosecutors Still Trying To Convict 62-Year-Old Woman For Wearing Penis Costume To Anti-Trump Protest<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Never underestimate\u00a0the stupidity<\/a>\u00a0of law enforcement. When things could just be left alone and everything would turn out OK,\u00a0officers insist<\/a>\u00a0on inserting themselves into the equation, ensuring maximum\u00a0pain and humiliation<\/a>\u00a0for everyone involved.<\/p>\n

In this case, a Fairhope, Alabama officer decided he couldn\u2019t simply do nothing when coming across a grandmother at a \u201cNo Kings\u201d protest. Here\u2019s how this started,\u00a0as detailed by Liliana Segura for The Intercept<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n

In the body camera\u00a0footage, a police officer parks his black SUV on the grass, a rosary swinging from the rearview mirror. He exits his car, moves briskly past a pair of protesters, and points an accusatory finger at the suspect: a 7-foot-tall inflatable penis holding an American flag.<\/em><\/p>\n

The alleged crime? Unclear. There\u2019s no sound at first, only the silent spectacle of a person in a penis suit turning toward a cop with a stance that says, \u201cWho, me?\u201d A handmade sign comes into view in the person\u2019s right hand. It reads \u201cNo Dick Tator.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

You can see the whole thing for yourself\u00a0here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

It\u2019s really an amazing recording. It includes several high points, including cops trying to stuff a person who\u2019s inside an inflatable penis into the back of a cop car before deciding it might be easier to separate the person and the costume\u2026 before struggling to fit the costume itself into the trunk of a cop car. It also includes superbly stupid things like this:<\/p>\n

\n

Fairhope Police Cpl. Andrew Babb was less amused.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m serious as a heart attack,\u201d he tells Gamble when the audio begins to play on the 14-minute body camera video. \u201cI\u2019m not gonna sit here and argue with you.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He demands to know how she could possibly justify such an obscene display: \u201cI would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you\u2019re supposed to be.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Every easily-offended, would-be censor has the same go-to for complaining about stuff they don\u2019t like: \u201chow would I explain that to my children?\u201d I don\u2019t know, man. They\u2019re\u00a0your<\/em>\u00a0kids. Take any approach you want, including ignoring the question. It\u2019s not on the rest of the world to make sure you never have to have an uncomfortable conversation with your kids. If you can\u2019t figure it out, maybe you shouldn\u2019t be in the business of raising kids, much less in the business of enforcing laws.<\/p>\n

There are also plenty of far less funny moments, like the fact that three cops decided to get involved in pinning 62-year-old Renea Gamble to the ground for the crime of\u2026 well, that was all pretty much undecided at the point the officers decided to enforce their will with their power.<\/p>\n

Corporal Andrew Babb obviously didn\u2019t know the law, but that wasn\u2019t going to stop him.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI said, \u2018That\u2019s not freedom of speech,\u2019\u201d Babb continues. \u201c\u2018This is a family town and being dressed like that is not going to be tolerated.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A. It actually\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0freedom of speech.<\/p>\n

B.\u00a0Every<\/em>\u00a0town is a \u201cfamily town,\u201d unless you happen to live in a dystopian sci-fi novel.<\/p>\n

Everything about the arrest is a non-starter. And yet, local prosecutors \u2014 propelled forward by supportive local government officials \u2014 are still trying to pin criminal charges on Renea Gamble. Mayor Sherry Sullivan claimed the costume was an \u201cobscene display\u201d which would \u201cnot be tolerated in Fairhope.\u201d City Council president Jack Burrell claimed the costume \u201cviolated community standards\u201d Neither assertion is true, which means neither statement can support an arrest, much less the bringing of criminal charges.<\/p>\n

Some of the initial enthusiasm for punishing Gamble was stifled when her arrest went viral, resulting in a nationwide discussion of this ridiculous situation. But apparently the town thinks it\u2019s now safe to proceed with saddling Gamble with a criminal record.<\/p>\n

\n

Rather than dropping the case, the city attorney slapped Gamble with additional charges earlier this year: disturbing the peace and giving a false name to law enforcement. Her trial, first set to take place months ago, has been delayed multiple times. It is now set for April 15.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The \u201cpeace\u201d wasn\u2019t disturbed until Officer Babb decided he was going to take Gamble\u2019s costume personally. And \u201cgiving a false name to law enforcement\u201d is really stretching things when all Gamble did was sarcastically respond \u201cAuntie Fa\u201d when officers demanded her name after stripping her of her inflatable penis.<\/p>\n

So, the case continues, which is only going to bring more embarrassment to town leaders and law enforcement officials. The backlash that greeted the arrest will return, which means the arresting officer may want to consider employment elsewhere. Hopefully, this will all end with the town cutting a check to Gamble for violating her rights.<\/p>\n

Until then, Gamble is going to keep on doing what she does:<\/p>\n

\n

Gamble has tried to keep a low profile since her arrest. At the No Kings protest last week, though, the \u201cNo Dick Tator\u201d sign appeared in the hands of a masked woman who wore dark sunglasses and a bandana over her face.<\/em><\/p>\n

It was Gamble, again wearing an inflatable costume.<\/em><\/p>\n

She was dressed as an eggplant.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

People who view dissent as a threat, if not inherently unlawful, cannot ever hope to win. Acts like this only embolden those already involved in dissent and attract others to join the cause. They may have the power, but the people have the inflatable genitals and the will to use them.<\/p>\n

Prosecutors Still Trying To Convict 62-Year-Old Woman For Wearing Penis Costume To Anti-Trump Protest<\/a><\/p>\n

More Law-Related Stories From Techdirt<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Court Blocks Republican Push To (Further) Dominate And Destroy Local Broadcast News<\/a>
Court Dismisses Pepperdine\u2019s Nonsense Trademark Suit Against Netflix Over \u2018Running Point\u2019<\/a>
Remember The \u201cMinistry Of Truth\u201d Freakout? Rubio Is Now Doing Something Far Worse Through Elon Musk\u2019s X<\/a><\/p>\n

The post Prosecutors Still Trying To Convict 62-Year-Old Woman For Wearing Penis Costume To Anti-Trump Protest<\/a> appeared first on Above the Law<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Never underestimate\u00a0the stupidity\u00a0of law enforcement. When things could just be left alone and everything would turn out OK,\u00a0officers insist\u00a0on inserting themselves into the equation, ensuring maximum\u00a0pain and humiliation\u00a0for everyone involved. In this case, a Fairhope, Alabama officer decided he couldn\u2019t simply do nothing when coming across a grandmother at a \u201cNo Kings\u201d protest. Here\u2019s how […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-148510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-above_the_law"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148510"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148510\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xira.com\/p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}