Controversy at Idaho Coffee Shop over Pro-Life Meeting

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America, recently reported an incident at a coffee shop in Idaho, where she and some pro-life advocates were asked to leave by the owner, Jim Sheehan. Sheehan likened their gathering to hosting the Ku Klux Klan, asserting his rights as a business owner to deny space for organized group meetings.

Hawkins mentioned in a social media post that she had brought a small group of pro-life advocates to Wydaho Roasters in Driggs to discuss a local campaign aimed at combating an abortion-rights ballot initiative. After purchasing food and drinks, the shop owner intervened and requested them to depart. In footage of the encounter, Sheehan can be heard saying, “Everybody is welcome, but I said I don’t want this group meeting here,” suggesting they move to a public library instead.

“Did I make it very clear that I did not want you here?” Sheehan stated in the video. “I did a lot of work to get people on the ballot … so women would have the right to choose in the state of Idaho, and this is something I do not support, nor does my wife, and it’s our business. So we have that choice,” he elaborated, further comparing his rejection of the group to denying a meeting request from the KKK.

When Hawkins pressed him on whether he believed pro-lifers were similar to the KKK, Sheehan replied, “In my world, it’s the same — it’s the same sort of concept.”

“Wydaho Roasters Coffee House just kicked out our @Campaign4AFC group, led by my 16-year-old son, Bear. They compared us to the KKK… even though Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, spoke for the KKK,” Hawkins stated. She pointed out that they had paid for their food and were not causing any disruptions; they were simply having a calm discussion. “We were kicked out because we’re pro-life and work to protect babies,” she remarked.

In a discussion on “The Charlie Kirk Show,” Hawkins highlighted the irony that Wydaho Roasters displayed an “EVERYONE WELCOME” sign on their front door. Meanwhile, Sheehan had previously attempted to discourage the group’s meeting on social media, citing political disagreements.

“Sunday she announced on a local community page they were holding this meeting at our business, naming it — I responded to the post politely asking them not to use our business as the agenda of the organization does not align with us,” he explained, noting they showed up regardless.

Following the event, Sheehan stated that he and his wife received numerous death threats, which they claim forced them to disconnect from social media and shut off their phones. He remained steadfast in his pro-progressive values, underscoring his right to refuse service to groups that contradict those beliefs.

“It’s not a surprise where my stance is on something like that,” he asserted, adding, “This is one of those black-and-white issues for me.”

According to Students for Life, the owner not only asked them to leave but also turned up the café’s speakers to drown out their conversation, further pushing them out of the establishment.