Police Intimidate Mother and Grandmother for Opposing Public Drag Show, Call Her “Horrible” and Criticize Her Free Speech Rights

Sun Valley, ID — PJI has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Darcy Creech, who was intimidated by local law enforcement for peacefully speaking to attendees at a Pride Festival in June 2024. A disagreement about minors’ exposure to a sexual drag show ensued between Ms. Creech and other Pride Festival attendees. After stating that Ms. Creech’s speech was “unacceptable,” Sun Valley law enforcement officers pursued Ms. Creech to her home after she had peacefully left the festival.

The federal lawsuit filed by PJI seeks relief for depriving Ms. Creech of her free speech rights. She was not provided an alternative means to express an opposing viewpoint from those at the Pride Festival and was ultimately intimidated by an on-duty police officer based on the content of her speech.

PJI’s staff attorney in Idaho, Kate Hartley, represents Ms. Creech. She noted, “It is the duty of law enforcement to protect unpopular speakers. Peaceful speech should never be the target of those who are charged to equally protect all citizens in a community.”

Brad Dacus, the President and Founder of Pacific Justice Institute has added that, “The First Amendment to the Constitution protects individuals from blatant government hostility and also protects those wishing to express potentially unpopular viewpoints. We at PJI are committed to defending such constitutionally protected expression.”