Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Dank Demoss, a Detroit rapper, is going viral after suing Lyft for one of its drivers allegedly refusing her service due to her size.
According to the Daily Mail, the incident between Demoss, real name Dajua Blanding, and the Lyft driver occurred earlier this month. At the time, Demoss recorded herself standing near a silver car, telling the driver, “I can fit in this.”
In turn, the driver reportedly said, “Believe me, you can’t.”
At that point, the pair appear to go back and forth before the driver apologizes. In turn, Demoss questions him about what she should do about the money she paid. Ultimately, the driver seemingly informs her that he’ll cancel the trip and return her payment.
“AM I WRONG ? @lyft what yall got to say about this yall driver discriminated against me .. I JUST FEEL LIKE YALL TREAT BIG PPLE LIKE S**T LIKE WE DONT BELONG HERE,” Demoss wrote in the footage shared on Instagram.
Per the outlet, Demoss has initiated a lawsuit against Lyft, claiming the driver discriminated against her and experienced “emotional distress and humiliation.” Additionally, Demoss’ attorneys, Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan, reportedly likened the incident to being “no different than refusing someone transportation based on their race or religion.”
“Refusing someone transportation based on their weight is not only illegal, but dangerous… Imagine the consequences if Ms. Blanding were unable to seek shelter after the driver left her stranded. This could have ended even worse than it did,” Runyan reportedly told the press.
Social media users reacted to Demoss’ stance and lawsuit against Lyft in The Shade Room’s comment section.
Instagram user @iamdencia wrote, “America should cease promoting such absurdity. The focus should be on assisting this girl in combating obesity, not on frivolous lawsuits against Lyft. This is utterly preposterous and a clear misuse of the court’s time…”
While Instagram user @shari_nycole added, “She better not win not nan one thing.this is absurd.”
Per Daily Mail, Lyft has released a statement in response to the lawsuit.
“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,” the statement reads.
