Spyke

Grandmother Faces Trial in Alabama for Wearing Penis Costume to No Kings Protest

“I’m serious as a heart attack,” he tells Gamble when the audio begins to play on the 14-minute body camera video. “I’m not gonna sit here and argue with you.”

He demands to know how she could possibly justify such an obscene display: “I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

Talking to a colleague over his two-way radio after the encounter, Babb described what happened. Gamble was dressed “like a freakin’ weiner,” he says on the tape, so he ordered her to remove the costume. She refused, invoking her First Amendment rights.

“Am I being detained?” Gamble repeatedly asks Babb, who ignores the question and continues to scold her. “If I’m not being detained, I’m gonna go ahead and leave.”

When she turns to walk away, Babb steps forward and grabs her costume from behind, throwing her on her back. Angry protesters shout at Babb as he forces her to turn over. Two more cops help him pin Gamble on the grass and handcuff her.

“By the time I got there, the cops were stuffing an inflatable penis in the back of their car,” Rae said.

It was, on one hand, hilarious — a slapstick comedy bit brought to life. In the body camera footage, Babb tries and fails to fit Gamble into his own backseat, then hands her off to another officer, who escorts her to a different vehicle. Police wrestle with the oversized costume, ultimately failing to fit the unwieldy polyester penis into the car.

It was also disturbing. Gamble screams in pain in the video as the cops try to push her into the backseat, the handcuffs digging into her wrists. Babb asks where the zipper is and, as he peels off the penis suit, asks Gamble for her name.

She replies, “Aunt Tifa.”

Grandmother Faces Trial in Alabama for Wearing Penis Costume to No Kings Protesthttps://theintercept.com/2026/04/03/penis-costume-no-kings-protest-alabama-censorship/Open linkView original on sh.itjust.works
lemmy.world

as he peels off the penis suit, asks Gamble for her name.

She replies, “Aunt Tifa.”

Perfect response. Okay, that lady is a baller (and, apparently, a penis).

321

Must be related to "Democracy Manifest" guy... in both cases, the officers were not prepared to receive a limp penis.

36
lemmy.zip

At the risk of making a sexist comment, she should have been wearing a scrotum for those gigantic balls.

22

Its funny for sure but in many places this is a separate crime so use your own discretion. It's more challenging/impossible to sue them later if you don't beat the charges that they slap on you.

5
piefed.zip

"Show" as in dressing/undressing together before going swimming etc? I don't see a problem there. Except him struggling with his shame.

edit: Prudes. Being naked with your kids is not abuse.

-9

Agree with your Edit. Nakedness is nothing inherently sexual. Kids shouldn't learn that they have to be ashamed of having a body, nor genitals. Kids need role model for this, as for anything else. Having parents treat nakedness as something normal is beneficial for children.

Obviously there is a right time and place for it.

6

Explaining genitals to children makes is significantly harder to molest them. Can't have that happening.

55

The really weird thing is unless they are female toddlers, they definitely know what a penis is.

Regardless, if kids ask and as a parent you don't want to answer, just say it's a silly hotdog costume. Nbd

22

"I would like to hear how he explains to his children what he's supposed to be."

Is nakedness a thing in US families? Probably not. But even so, the question will come up. Some kids are even bold enough to poke it and ask. Presumely because they're fed up with never getting a proper answer.

7
piefed.ca

The body camera footage tells a different story.

Every time. Every. Last. Time.

163
fedia.io

I don't think we should arrest people at all until body cam footage comes out, it's insane how often they lie

48
lemmy.dbzer0.com

We need repurcussions for lying. We need repurcussions for when people are arrested and charges are dropped.

Cops should need to think twice before arresting anyone.

48

Starting with one week of pay and going up every time the repeat. Touching the pocket is a good way to stop anyone from doing something bad.

3
PhoenixDogreply
lemmy.world

Arresting and charging without footage is fine.

We shouldn't convict anyone nor should there be a trial until all the footage comes out.

19
fedia.io

But poor people end up spending days or weeks behind bars after being accused of assaulting officers and it's wrong

36
PhoenixDogreply
lemmy.world

Oh I absolutely agree. If we're talking about minor things like this they should be booked and released. Unless they are a direct threat to the public they should not be held for more than the time it takes to get their identification, alert them of the charges, and release them.

The trial and convictions should never even start until the body cam is released. That should be released before the first pre-trial date is even scheduled.

Basically, if I am arrested and charged for disorderly, I won't even be scheduled for a pre-trial court date until prosecution has full unedited body cam footage of my arrest. If they cannot be produced in the time it takes for my pre-trial date with a judge, charges are automatically dismissed without prejudice.

15
nomyreply
lemmy.zip

If we’re talking about minor things like this they should be booked and released.

Disagree, this person should've been given a high five and bought a drink.

7
PhoenixDogreply
lemmy.world

Again, 100% agree. That cop should have been rushed by the 15-25 protesters around her and made to actually fear for his fucking life. He apparently feels so safe and confident that he can assault a grandmother in a dick costume, knowing that him completely by himself won't see any harm come to him.

He can harm others knowing the two dozen people around him won't harm him.

Alas... Everyone stood by and let her get arrested. And because of that she shouldn't see a court until the completely unredacted body cam footage is publicly available.

5

As it is, she gets the awareness raising she wants, and they look stupid. Even a KKKristian judge can only give her minor charges. If the crowd rushed the cops, she could be charged with Inciting a Riot. Which is serious unless you're the PrickOTUS. She seems to be on top of the situation, making sure the footage will confirm any injuries she can claim. Not that she is enjoying it or sought such stupid and over-aggressive treatment. But she knows she has less to fear than a black man.

3
sh.itjust.works

The woman who accused Donald Trump of sexually abusing her when she was 13 provided several verifiable details about her life in interviews with the FBI, according to a new report. The woman detailed her alleged abuse by Trump and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein over four interviews in 2019, the Epstein files revealed. The interviews were initially kept secret by the DOJ.

This could not be more ridiculous. Pedophelia and sex trafficking are literally being normalized to levels of "locker room talk" in 2026. Nobody is facing justice. We're basically just legalizing pedophelia for the wealthy, which apparently we've always done, we just have to accept it as official now. And maybe that was the point of Trump focusing so much attention on pedophiles in the first place?

However, a grandmother wearing an inflatable penis costume to protest captain pedophile while he holds the highest office in the United States is the real danger to children. Got it.

Straight to jail with you granny.

112
lemmy.myserv.one

This could not be more ridiculous. Pedophelia and sex trafficking are literally being normalized to levels of “locker room talk” in 2026.

I remember when Lumpty Trumpty was running the first time and the "grab them by the pussy" tape came out. I was talking to a colleague who was like "it's just locker room talk". I was like "Uh, that's advocating for sexual assault."

42
Janxreply
piefed.social

Advocating sexual assault is bad enough, but Trump is a literal rapist!

I'm not even talking about the Epstein files! It was proven in court that he raped his ex-wife. Look up the details if you want, but it's pretty dark and was clearly revenge. And we're supposed to believe that this guy, who made sexual comments about his own underage daughter and bragged about barging in on Miss Teen USA contestants in their dressing rooms... We're supposed to believe this guy held himself back and followed the law!?

4
lemmy.zip

The cops crying obscenity, yet 3 of them decided to jump on that dick in public...

107

Imagine being worried about having to explain an adult wearing penis costume to children, but not you assaulting them.

22
piefed.social

“I’m serious as a heart attack,” he tells Gamble when the audio begins to play on the 14-minute body camera video.

You're exactly right. Just like a heart attack is a sign that a person is in distress and dying, people like you are a sign that our government is in distress and dying.

“I’m not gonna sit here and argue with you.”

Typical statement from a person who shouldn't ever be allowed authority over others.

“I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

They're your shitty children. It's your job to prepare them for the real world, not mine. If you can't figure out how to explain something like this to them, then you probably shouldn't have children......

But I'm guessing you haven't done much to raise them yourself. Someone like you who bludgeons people with authority probably leaves the actual parenting to someone else, and only makes yourself known at home through violence.

78

Right! What's more concerning? A giant Weiner or somebody tackling grandma? My family all thinks farts and Weiner's are hilarious because they are. We immature, sure but who wants to be mature when that means you tackle grandma?

19

“I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

I'm pretty sure his children are already familiar with the notion of an adult being a massive dick.

14
lemmy.world

How many of those cops had ‘Fuck Biden’ flags on their house or bumper stickers on their cars?

73

You're not wrong, but this isn't a prudism problem. It's more like a "if it offends YOU, you're a snowflake, but if it offends ME, then you're under arrest" problem.

She turned her back on a cop and walked away. No better way to get arrested than to remind them how small they really are.

33
lemmy.zip

We need more nekkid people just showing up where ever. Everyone listen up. Hide your face, get undressed, protest hard. Run away quickly & put clothes on. Then ditch the mask. How in the hell is anyone really going to notice any facial features. You are all welcome. I may be the only one that follows through. However, I have tje utmost faith in this minimalist approach. As long as the weather is cooperative btw.

6
sopuli.xyz

They put you all undressed in the identification row and examine your wieners.

4

Subject to change. Is there a draft in the room? Can definitely grow & show depending on the season, lighting ambience, mood & all around vibes.

3

She says her name is Aunt Tifa? I will struggle my entire like to achieve that level of facetious. She is a legend

66
lemmy.world

You can rape children and still be the president, but don't you dare wear a costume and exercise your free speech!!

62
sh.itjust.works

Its OK if its their guy raping and killing people/children.

But they'll clutch their pearls if you say fuck. Hate these people.

12

Unless it's "Fuck Biden / Clinton / Harris et al"

5
lemmy.world

“Obscenity” is kinda meaningless when you have a president that raped children.

58

He demands to know how she could possibly justify such an obscene display: “I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

I would like to hear how you would explain to your children if they ever cross paths with the man this grandmother was protesting, they should probably run as far away as possible. You know, because he's a fucking pedophile.

Talking to a colleague over his two-way radio after the encounter, Babb described what happened. Gamble was dressed “like a freakin’ weiner,”

Babb asks where the zipper is and, as he peels off the penis suit, asks Gamble for her name.

She replies, “Aunt Tifa.

55
lemmy.ca

Uhhh children should be aware of human bodies and what parts they have. That guys Christian values are showing.

51

Considering the post right above this is about the arrested pastor that wrote a book about "christian sexual ethics", I'm willing to venture that this cop's are performative at best as well.

8

Nah, he's just a pedo. Informed children are harder to rape. Though I guess you did say Christian values.

2
lemmy.blahaj.zone

how is a penis obscene and how does it threaten children to see a penis costume?

42

Republicans dont want their victims seeing what a real penis looks like and comparing it to their own tiny junk.

13

Ya see, the thing about ambushes...

::: spoiler spoiler Joke in poor taste about the nature of secrets and surprises. Notably, lotta interesting hearsay bout some very inescapable dingaling shame among the kid-rapers. Probably no link between those things, or that and convincing big groups of strangers that their own basic biology is shameful. :::

1

“I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

Gamble was dressed “like a freakin’ weiner,” he says on the tape

There's your description, see was that so hard?

She replies, “Aunt Tifa.”

Oh no oh fuck they arrested the head of the Antifa. The organization is in shambles. Together with John Antifa they ran the entire antifas.

41
lemmy.ca

The lack of professionalism here is astounding. If you, Mr Popo think that that member of the public is doing something arrestable, you don't get into a debate about "yaw kidz" and escalate a peaceful situation to a clusterfuck. Make the arrest in a professional way, and be done with it.

31

Well the point is to try and badger the innocent citizen to doing something actionable. They were still going for the arrest but a reason would have been a nice bonus.

9
lemmy.world

“Protests should remain peaceful and free of profanity and obscene displays.” Mayor Sherry Sullivan told reporters.

City Council President Jack Burrell said the costume violated “community standards.”

Fairhope was founded as a utopian experiment in the late 1800s... by independent thinkers [and] has imbued Fairhope with an enduring sense of civic pride.

Sounds like Aunt Tifa should run for mayor and be rid of someone that's forgotten why the town even exists.

31

Perhaps those that take offense haven't found themselves on the unwelcome end of a suddenly displayed phallus before. Might be quite the shock to take one's own medicine like that.

4

Hey Champ, you keep this up and a person might take offense.

It's been a month and you're still bothering to downvote whenever you happen across a comment of mine?

Hope you can move past my utensil choices at some point. I'm not big on subletting a room in your head, even if it's provided free of charge.

::: spoiler Context

My parent comment in this post:

Last exchange from a month ago:

Pretty sad @[email protected]. Curious decision to habitually downvote rather than block seeing as my existing so annoys you. Self inflicted annoyance if I've ever seen it.

:::

3

The crowd should have tackled and restrained the cops. No more rogue police, it’s time for the citizens to pin you to the ground, cuff you, and leave you there to ROT

30

I'd love to see this - but not for this situation. Totally pointless. Counter-productive.

Cops got her on disorderly conduct, after the fact. Jt's a bullshit charge. They had nothing to charge her with otherwise.

But she's got a civil rights violation lawsuit in the bag. She's clearly heard repeating "Am I being detained?" The officer didn't answer and then used physical force to bring her down.

And even outside the law, the court of public opinion matters. Starting a riot by beating the shit out of a cop might not look so good. It's 20 on 1, and he could get disoriented and fire into the crowd.

But, for the record, if you are EVER dressed as a life-sized penis and a cop asks "What am I supposed to tell my kids?", you should answer "Tell them Trump is a dick."

Because that's an honest answer and there's nothing inherently sexual about this situation. Half the world has penises, there's naked statues and painting and pics of penises in every culture around the world. Kids can handle it.

14

Nah, in this case, you just spool out all the rope they need to hang themselves. They'll take care of it for you.

Save the mob attack to prevent the upcoming massacre.

2
lemmy.world

the crowd didn't react because they are the same as that police officer, they think alike.

anyone in any free country would've reacted, but the us isn't a free country.

-6
feddit.dk

Lesson: Don't wear clothes underneath your penis costume. If they want to undress you for not wearing the state approved clothing, they need to deal with you being naked instead.

30

“I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

"I'm dressed up as the body part our president used to rape other children just like you!"

29

“This type of behavior or display is not acceptable and will not be tolerated in Fairhope,” Mayor Sherry Sullivan told reporters. “Protests should remain peaceful and free of profanity and obscene displays.”

Fairly sure profanity and obscene displays means anything the Government doesn't like.

29

The fact that a grown adult in position of government can say "Protests should remain peaceful and free of profanity and obscene displays." Is a sign of something very wrong.

Mayor you are confusing a parade for a protest.

20

Sounds like Mayor Sullivan is a pretentious, prudish cunt...who needs to be replaced by someone with a sense of humor...you know, a decent human being. Our US government is on full display as a bunch of fascist, profane, obscene pedophiles...but the good mayor seems okay with that part being filthy and obscene. People make me sick. It's goddamned penis...it's part of the human body - the thing they always yell about being in God's image...they must be ashamed of their god, too, then...

11

Fuck him. First amendment says I can be as obscene and as profane as I want. Especially since it is being used for a political protest.

7

its easy to explain the costume to a child. she is dressed as the current president of the united states of america. The second and bigger dick president.

29

Ah, yes. It's time for the traditional american concern that children may see a cartoon peepee, while at the time not giving a single flying fuck about children getting killed by very real pewpews... or being fucked by the big orange pedo's deformed peepee.

26

Yes, let’s arrest penis costume grandma instead of warmongering pedoffending nazi monster. (I mean, that even feels insulting to the word monster).

26
lemmy.world

He demands to know how she could possibly justify such an obscene display: “I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

In the photo she is clearly dressed as a cop - how could he not recognize this?

23
PhoenixDogreply
lemmy.world

“I would like to hear how you would explain to my children what you’re supposed to be.”

Some of your children probably have what I am. Are you saying that having a penis is an obscene thing? Because half the population has one.

9
BanMereply
lemmy.world

These weirdos will tell their kids it's a "no-no square" to avoid having to use the word "penis." Then when their youth pastor molests them, they can go right to calling it whatever he does. Smooths over all that unnecessary sex communication librulz say you have to do.

6

It still truly amazes me how much these cops know they can just feel so emboldened as a single individual cop can haul down a grandmother in front of 15-20 protesters, and he knows nothing will happen to him, not just from violating her rights, but knowing all these angry protesters holding sticks, flags, and signs won't bludgeon him.

The reason this shit keeps happening is the police knowing they're completely off limits.

11

Easy, your children are not my burden, what kind of liberal commie crap do you think your spewing

moves goalpost

"You want ME to pay for YOUR children.

What are you a welfare queen? Maybe you should get a real job.

7

Nah, she's dressed as a mirror! That's why that male Karen had such a hard time explaining to his kids that he was a dick!

4
lemmy.world

One can wear a penis costume in Japan without a problem. It shows, the USA is still filled with backward ass Puritan a-holes.

22

He nonconsentually touched the penis. What the fuck.

21
lemmy.world

Penis costumes and dildos of unusual size are about to get sold out real quick.

20

I would begin to explain clearly, and fully to my child what was going on, including the symbolism. The kid would get bored halfway through and ask about something else.

19

Any kid who doesn't know what she was dressed as can be told she's anything. Any kid who knows what she was dressed as doesn't need told.

16

I wonder how much the tax payers will be paying this lady when she sues the shit out of the police.

12
slrpnk.net

American police forces have never really considered the optics, have they? Or sociopolitical implications? Yeah, these are not in their vocabulary. (I don't know if the word "vocabulary" is in their vocabulary, it has too many syllables.)

Anyway, you need to think about the optics and sociopolitical implications before you rush headlong and grab a dick. This is common sense. Not to these officers, though, apparently.

12

You don't need to concern yourself with optics when:

  1. you investigate your own issues
  2. are almost never held accountable
  3. fabricate and/or "lose" evidence as needed
  4. when you are held accountable, you personally never pay
  5. never, EVER need to apologize
  6. and probably the most important.... nothing ever changes with the first 5.
17

"We're all trying to find the guy that did this" she says from inside the wiener costume

10

They're mad at the protest, and they're looking for any excuse to come down hard on the protesters.

8

Alabama does have a statute concerning lewd behavior that might apply to this circumstance, so the officer might have some grounds. However, if I were a judge, I wouldn't want that in my court. I can see a prosecutor dismissing the case after holding her in jail the legal length of time before dropping charges.

8

This is a good way to test the constitutionality of such statues. If this is prosecuted, it can be a good opportunity to strike down such laws in circuit or SCOTUS thru the appeals process.

4

Fee*

Common mistake. That'll be, uh... this many dollars!

4
lemmy.today

These people need the definition of "obscenity" beaten into them. Roughly it's "something that any reasonable person would object to existing at all"

4
Jikiyareply
lemmy.world

What a laughable standard. Everything on earth is obscene by this standard.

0

You're always going to be able to find a reasonable person that has an objection that doesn't meet everyone else's. If the only thing it takes is one person objecting, there is nothing in the world that isn't obscene. People can be reasonable about all things, aside from one idea, and then their objection makes it obscene by the proposed definition.

1

Probably just upset because either he feels inadequate or the sight of it stirred feelings in him hes uncomfortable with.

3

If she wins the lawsuit I'm attending the next protest in a costume.

1
lemmy.org

“I’m serious as a heart attack,” he tells Gamble when the audio begins to play on the 14-minute body camera video. “I’m not gonna sit here and argue with you.”

The subtle ageism is a nice touch for the pearl-clutching police.

1
nullreply
lemmy.org

Telling an old person you're as serious as a heart attack. It's like telling a cop you're as serious as a battered wife.

-2
lemmy.world

Dude, I have used that phrase since I was a kid. That’s just a common phrase that everyone uses here.

There’s plenty to be upset about with this situation but this ain’t ageism.

6

I'm not trying to make a big deal out of it or anything like that. The word I used was subtle. Like a fly landing on your shit sandwich.

-1