it took 6 years for Vermont to admit that freedom of speech is something they can't ignore, and can't arrest someone for. Now, they owe a guy 175,000 to settle a case from 2018 when he shot a state trooper the bird

Bombard’s First Amendment rights were violated after an unnecessary traffic stop and retaliatory arrest in 2018.

Trooper Jay Riggen stopped Bombard’s vehicle in St. Albans on Feb. 9, 2018, because he believed Bombard had shown him the middle finger, according to the lawsuit. Bombard denied that but says he did curse and display the middle finger once the initial stop was concluded.

Bombard was stopped again and arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct, and his car was towed. 

Under the settlement, the state has agreed to pay Bombard $100,000 and $75,000 to the ACLU of Vermont and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression for legal fees.

“This incident should never have happened in the first place,” said Hillary Rich, staff attorney for the ACLU of Vermont, “Police need to respect everyone’s First Amendment rights — even for things they consider offensive or insulting.”

Bombard said in a statement provided by the ACLU that he hopes the Vermont State Police will train its troopers “to avoid silencing criticism or making baseless car stops.”

https://www.wane.com/top-stories/he-flipped-off-a-trooper-and-got-charged-now-vermont-is-on-the-hook-for-175000/