By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
SELMA, AL — The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Selma police, dismissing a civil lawsuit filed by longtime activist and attorney Faya Rose Toure stemming from her 2018 arrest over removing a political sign.
Toure claimed the sign was illegally posted on public property, and her lawsuit included allegations of false arrest, defamation, and civil rights violations. She sought $4 million in damages. On Friday, the court reversed a lower court ruling and granted qualified immunity to former Police Chief Spencer Collier and Officer Devon McGuire, effectively ending the case.
In an interview with AL.com, Toure said she may appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court despite long odds.
“I believe that freedom is in the fight and I’m going to fight till I can’t fight no more,” she said.
“The (Alabama) Supreme Court is basically giving police unfettered license to violate the constitution and human rights… especially citizens of color.”
The incident began when Toure removed a campaign sign near Tabernacle Baptist Church. McGuire, in an unmarked car, confronted her. She drove three and a half blocks before stopping. Bodycam footage showed her recording officers and resisting being handcuffed behind her back due to a past injury.
Toure argued her actions were lawful, citing a local ordinance banning signs on public property, and said the city only removed signs for Black candidates. Her husband, former Sen. Hank Sanders, publicly supported her claims at the time.
According to AL.com, the Alabama Supreme Court said that unless Toure could prove the officers acted “willfully, maliciously, fraudulently, in bad faith, beyond their authority, or under a mistaken interpretation of the law,” they were entitled to immunity. The court ruled she failed to meet that burden.
Despite the setback, Toure remains undeterred.
Now, Toure says she may ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case—though she acknowledges the odds are slim.
“I know it’s unlikely the high court will agree to review the case,” she said, “but some fights you take on because they matter.”