Lyft Driver Ejects ‘Save Women’s Sports’ Activists Following Portland Soccer Match Protest

A demonstration at a Portland Thorns soccer match on Friday, October 23, 2026, ended with the ejection of activists from both the stadium and their subsequent rideshare vehicle, leading to a dispute over discrimination and city transportation regulations. Julie Lane, a resident of the Bay Area, was part of a group of approximately 20 people who attended the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) game at Providence Park to protest under the banner of “Save Women’s Sports.”

The group, wearing “XX-XY Athletics” shirts and displaying a large sign with their slogan, reported facing immediate verbal and physical hostility from other spectators. Lane stated that she was struck by a fan during the event, causing her to fall over two rows of seats. Security personnel at Providence Park eventually intervened, removing Lane and the rest of the activists from the stadium. Following their removal, Lane and three other women sought transportation back to their hotel.

The situation escalated after the women entered a Lyft vehicle. According to the passengers, the driver asked if they were “the ladies from the news.” Thinking the driver was sympathetic to their presence at the match, Linda Serbu confirmed they were. At that point, the driver pulled the vehicle over and ordered the four women to exit. Lane reported that the driver told them it was his private car, he could cancel any ride he chose, and that they did not belong in his vehicle.

The passengers expressed concern regarding the location of the ejection, which Lane described as a “dark corner of Portland.” Most of the women in the group were over 50 years old, and Serbu required a walker, which the driver had already loaded into the trunk before the dispute began. Lane initially refused to leave the car, citing safety concerns and the belief that they were being discriminated against for their political views and clothing.

The driver subsequently called the police, later stating in a social media post on Reddit that he intended to have the women arrested for trespassing. In that post, he characterized the group as “anti-trans agitators” and urged the stadium to do more to protect the LGBTQ+ community. Serbu, however, noted the irony of the driver’s characterization, stating that the group of four included two lesbians and two bisexual women.

The women eventually exited the Lyft and called an Uber to complete their journey. During the incident, Lane was in contact with a Lyft support representative who allegedly stated that the driver would face disciplinary action. However, the following morning, Lane discovered that her own account had been deactivated by the platform.

In a statement regarding the incident, a Lyft spokesperson said the company’s safety team is reviewing the matter and in contact with both parties, emphasizing that discrimination has no place in their community. The driver’s refusal to complete the trip may also conflict with Portland City Code Section 16.40.280(C)(13), which prohibits rideshare drivers from refusing to transport passengers of “proper demeanor” to their destinations once a ride has been accepted.