61-Year-Old Woman Arrested in Inflatable Penis Costume in Alabama

FAIRHOPE, ALABAMA — A 61-year-old woman was tackled and arrested by police at a protest in Alabama after refusing to remove an inflatable penis costume, igniting nationwide debate about free speech and public decency laws.

According to the Fairhope Police Department, officers responded to a complaint on Saturday regarding a person “in a phallic costume” near the Baldwin Square Shopping Center during a local No Kings protest.

When officers approached Jeana Renea Gamble, they reportedly asked her to remove the costume, calling it “obscene in a public setting.” Gamble refused — and moments later, she was taken to the ground by three officers and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Video of Arrest Sparks Outrage

A bystander captured video of the arrest, which quickly went viral on Bluesky and other social media platforms. The clip shows Gamble lying face-down on the pavement as three officers — two white and one Black — hold her down, while protesters can be heard yelling that she “posed no threat.”

“She was peacefully expressing her point of view,” said one protester in the video. “That was excessive. Nobody here was in danger.”

The video has since been shared thousands of times, drawing criticism toward Fairhope police for what many call an overreaction to a harmless protest stunt.

Protest Group Condemns Arrest

Indivisible Baldwin County, one of the groups involved in organizing the No Kings protest, condemned Gamble’s arrest in a public statement.

“Ms. Gamble was peacefully expressing her point of view on Saturday,” the group said. “Her violent arrest for expressing herself in ways the police found rude is indefensible, morally and legally.”

The statement went on to accuse the Fairhope Police Department of violating the First Amendment:

“Public officials must take seriously their duty to uphold the Constitution. Their complete failure to do so in this situation runs against the free expression values that created Fairhope and against the liberty guarantees enshrined in Alabama law and the United States Constitution.”

Police Defend Their Actions

In a Facebook post, Fairhope Police defended the arrest, claiming the costume was “obscene in a public setting” and that Gamble refused multiple orders to remove it.

They maintained that the arrest was carried out “according to procedure” and that public decency complaints justified their response.

“Officers acted appropriately given the complaint received and the suspect’s refusal to comply,” the department wrote.

Gamble was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on November 5.

Legal and Public Debate

The arrest has reignited a national conversation over how far freedom of expression extends in public demonstrations. Civil rights advocates argue that while the costume may have been provocative, arresting a protester for symbolic expression sets a dangerous precedent.

Others, however, contend that such displays cross into public indecency, especially in family-friendly areas.

“There’s a difference between free speech and public lewdness,” one local resident wrote in response to the police statement. “You can protest without wearing something like that.”

Growing Backlash

The video of Gamble’s arrest has since drawn national media attention, with thousands of users online accusing Fairhope police of using excessive force and suppressing dissent.

“Whether you agree with her costume or not, she didn’t deserve to be tackled by three cops,” one commenter wrote. “That’s not what democracy looks like.”

The ACLU of Alabama has reportedly been made aware of the incident and is reviewing details to determine if Gamble’s constitutional rights were violated.

Do you think police went too far in this arrest, or was it justified under public decency laws? Join the discussion and share your thoughts at NapervilleLocal.com.