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Detroit Rapper Sues Lyft for Weight Discrimination After Being Denied Ride

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Detroit Rapper Sues Lyft for Weight Discrimination After Being Denied Ride

Detroit rapper Dajua Blanding, known by her stage name Dank Demoss, has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, claiming weight discrimination after a driver allegedly refused her service. The incident occurred as Blanding was headed to a Detroit Lions watch party.

According to Blanding, the driver arrived, assessed her, and declared that she could not board his vehicle because of her size.

Blanding captured the encounter on video, which was later shared by The Neighborhood Talk. During the video, the driver is heard explaining that his car, a black Mercedes sedan, was too small and that accommodating her would “stress his tires.”

He suggested, “You need to order a bigger car,” and offered to refund her ride, advising her to opt for an Uber XL, which is meant for larger groups.

Believe me, you can’t,” he said to her in the original video. “I’ve got no space because my car is small.”

He added, “You need to order a bigger car.”

He then apologized and offered to refund her ride, stating that she should call an Uber XL instead. The ride is typically for larger parties. She said the treatment felt like a “slap in the face.”

However, Blanding has now taken legal action for the alleged discrimination. Her lawyers argue that weight is a “protected characteristic” under Michigan law, and denying someone due to it could be considered illegal.

“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” she told the news outlet. “I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.

Describing the incident as a “slap in the face,” Blanding has now taken legal action. Her attorneys argue that under Michigan law, weight discrimination constitutes illegal treatment as weight is considered a “protected characteristic.”

Blanding expressed to Fox 2 her disappointment, stating, “I’ve been in cars smaller than that. I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”

In response to the lawsuit, Lyft has publicly condemned any form of discrimination. Their statement reaffirmed the company’s commitment to community and respect, emphasizing that their guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.

However, they also noted that drivers have the right to deny riders if there are potential security risks. Blanding’s legal team contends that the driver’s actions were unjustified and violated Michigan’s discrimination laws.

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