The Justice Department is reviewing why security threw a group of “Save Women’s Sports” fans out of a Portland Thorns game after, the fans say, other spectators hit them with flagpoles.
Story Highlights
- On Friday, October 23, about 20 fans in XX-XY Athletics shirts unfurled a “Save Women’s Sports” banner at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
- Video shows members of the group struck with flagpoles carrying transgender flags, then removed by security.
- A Justice Department official says the conduct “appears to raise viewpoint discrimination and First Amendment questions.”
- The Thorns had not responded to requests for comment, and the stadium’s security director declined to talk.
- Police say no injuries were reported and no one was arrested, and two cases are under investigation.
What Prompted Federal Attention
The fans came to the Thorns’ match against the North Carolina Courage, a women’s pro soccer game, to protest. XX-XY Athletics is a clothing brand founded by former Levi’s executive Jennifer Sey that campaigns against transgender women competing in women’s sports. The group kept the shirts covered through the first half. When the second half began, they showed the shirts and unrolled the banner. The Justice Department says it wants to know whether they were thrown out for their message.
“The Justice Department is aware of these reports and will review the matter thoroughly,” a department spokesperson said. “Where the facts and the law warrant action, the Department will not hesitate to act.” The department has not announced any charges.
Activist Amy Sousa, who organized the protest, said, “We were attacked by fans. We were hit with flags.” She said she and others filed police reports. Commentator Brandi Kruse, host of the show unDivided, says she was hit with flagpoles and had beer poured on her. Video shows a guard holding her arm behind her back as she was moved through the stands. The guard said that happened after she refused to walk out when told. A reporter covering the protest says his phone was knocked from his hand and beer was poured on his neck.
What The Club Has Said
The Thorns had not answered requests for comment about the October 23 removals, according to reports. Stadium security director Jim McCausland said he did not have time to talk. Kruse said, “At no point did they offer an explanation as to why we were being removed.” She and Sousa say most of the people who confronted them were allowed to stay.
This was not the first time. At a September 6 match against the Washington Spirit, the club removed eight fans wearing XX-XY gear. The Thorns said those fans were “distributing unapproved materials,” which broke the stadium’s fan guidelines. Sousa disputed that, saying her group had brought a copy of the code of conduct and followed it. Kruse said she came on October 23 partly to protest that earlier removal.
What Police Say Happened
Portland police said off-duty officers working the game were not part of the removals. They were called in only when some people refused to leave and lay down, blocking an exit. Those people later agreed to go. Officers also kept two opposing groups apart outside for a short time.
Police said two possible crimes were reported, one for harassment and one for vandalism. No injuries were reported, and no one was arrested or cited. Officers had their body cameras on, and both cases are under investigation.
Why First Amendment Questions Matter Here
The First Amendment mostly limits what the government can do, not private businesses. That is why ownership matters. The City of Portland owns Providence Park. A private company, Peregrine Sports, runs it, and RAJ Sports owns the Thorns. Reports say the city’s ownership could let federal officials look at whether any public officials helped carry out the removals.
Viewpoint discrimination means punishing someone because of the opinion they express. It is one of the most guarded protections in American law. The question for the review is whether stadium rules were used against one side of the debate while people on the other side, including those who swung the flagpoles, were left alone.
Bottom Line For Fans And Families
Americans want ballparks to be places where families can cheer without fear. What is on the record so far: a peaceful banner, fans struck with flagpoles, the people holding the banner marched out, and a federal review. The standard should be simple and fair. The rules should apply to everyone, the same way, with no one punished for peacefully saying “save women’s sports.”
Sources:
foxnews.com, sports.yahoo.com, breitbart.com, redstate.com
