LOOGOOTEE, Ind. (August 28, 2025) — In a significant legal development, a federal court in Evansville has issued a permanent injunction against the City of Loogootee, Indiana, preventing the enforcement of an ordinance deemed unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

The ruling comes after the Patoka Valley AIDS Community Action Group, Inc. filed a lawsuit opposing the city of Loogootee on event restrictions, and after a year in court, a formal ruling has been announced.

The court’s decision was announced on Thursday, August 28, following a partial summary judgment that found Ordinance No. 2025-1 unconstitutional. The judge’s order states that the city is “permanently enjoined from enforcing Ordinance No. 2025-1 in its entirety.”

Furthermore, the court granted the nonprofit organization’s request to hold PrideFest on September 6, 2025. The event is scheduled to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in and around the Public Square in downtown Loogootee, a designated area framed by U.S. 231, Public Square Street, N. Line Street, and E. Main Street.

The court’s order also stipulates that certain roads be closed to accommodate the event. These include Public Square Street (from U.S. 231 to N. Line Street), N. Line Street (from U.S. 231 to Wood Street), and E. Main Street (from U.S. 231 to N.E. 1st Street), as requested by the organization.

“This ruling affirms the importance of free expression and assembly,” said in the document. “The defendant shall now allow PrideFest to take place, ensuring the community can participate safely.”

The city had previously enacted Ordinance No. 2025-1, which the court determined to violate constitutional rights.

As the event approaches, hopes are high that PrideFest will proceed smoothly, symbolizing a victory for free speech advocates in the region.

The legal documents from the case can be found below: