Renea Gamble Acquitted After Arrest for Inflatable Penis Costume at Anti-Trump Protest

Renea Gamble, a 62-year-old grandmother, was arrested in October 2025 during an anti-Trump protest in Fairhope, Alabama, for wearing a 7-foot inflatable penis costume and holding a sign that read “No Dick Tator.” The arrest was initiated by Corporal Andrew Babb of the Fairhope Police Department, who accused Gamble of disorderly conduct. Bodycam footage of the incident, which showed multiple officers attempting to fit the inflatable costume into a police vehicle, went viral, drawing significant public attention.

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On April 5, 2026, Gamble was acquitted of all charges, including misdemeanor disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, and providing a false name to law enforcement. Fairhope Municipal Judge Haymes Snedeker presided over the case and delivered a closing argument that humorously noted, “There is no constitutional right to wear a total erect penis on the side of the road.” Despite the acquittal, Judge Snedeker suggested that there may have been probable cause for the arrest, which raised concerns about the implications for Gamble's free speech rights.

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While Gamble was cleared of charges, Judge Snedeker's remarks have been criticized as an attempt to downplay the seriousness of the police's actions. Critics argue that his comments reflect a judicial inclination to protect law enforcement at the expense of First Amendment rights. Gamble's attorney, David Gespass, indicated that a countersuit against the Fairhope Police Department for violating Gamble's rights is likely, stating, “This fight is not over.”

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Since Gamble's arrest, the "No Kings" protests have seen a significant increase in attendance, growing to nearly 1,200 participants. Gamble has continued to engage in activism, recently appearing at a rally in a different costume, an inflatable eggplant, further emphasizing her commitment to free expression.

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In response to the incident, the Fairhope Police Department has not issued a formal statement regarding the acquittal or the potential countersuit. However, Judge Snedeker's comments during the trial suggest a belief that the police acted within their rights, despite the eventual dismissal of the charges against Gamble.

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As Renea Gamble prepares to pursue a countersuit against the Fairhope Police Department, the case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding free speech and protest rights in the United States. The outcome of this potential legal action could have broader implications for similar cases involving expressive conduct at protests.

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