Detroit rapper Dajua Blanding, also known as Dank Demoss, has filed a lawsuit against a Lyft driver after he allegedly denied her a ride because of her size. The incident happened earlier this month when Blanding requested a ride to a Detroit Lions watch party. However, upon arriving, the driver told her he couldn’t give her a ride, citing her weight as the reason.
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Blanding, who recorded the encounter, says the driver initially claimed she wouldn’t fit in his sedan. When she insisted otherwise, the driver replied, “Believe me, you can’t.” He went on to explain that his car’s tires couldn’t handle her weight and suggested she request an Uber XL instead. The driver also apologized and offered to refund the ride so she wouldn’t be charged, but the comments left Blanding deeply hurt.
In a statement to FOX 2, Blanding said, “I’ve been in cars smaller than that. I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.” Following the incident, she retained attorneys Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan to pursue a discrimination lawsuit against the driver.
According to attorney Marko, weight is a protected characteristic under Michigan law. He explained that denying someone a ride based on their weight is illegal and comparable to refusing service based on someone’s race, gender, or religion. While Lyft drivers are allowed to decline rides for safety concerns, Marko emphasized that discriminating against passengers due to their size violates the law.
Lyft issued a statement condemning all forms of discrimination, reaffirming the company’s commitment to fostering a community built on mutual respect. “Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
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