Uber and Lyft ban right-wing activist for anti-Muslim tweets after New York attack
After the suspect was identified as an Uber driver, Laura Loomer tweeted that there should be a ‘non-Islamic form’ of cab services.
Ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft in the United States banned conservative activist Laura Loomer on Wednesday for the anti-Muslim tweets she posted after the attack in New York, which killed eight people.
Uzbek Sayfullo Saipov, the 29-year-old who drove the truck through a crowded path in Manhattan on Tuesday night, was identified as an Uber driver.
“Someone needs to create a non-Islamic form of Uber or Lyft because I never want to support another Islamic immigrant driver,” Loomer tweeted.
She also said it was “extremely unfortunate” that “nearly every cab driver in New York City is Muslim” and claimed she tried to not support Muslim-owned businesses in New York.
Nearly every cab @uber @lyft driver in NYC is Muslim. It's extremely unfortunate and this is a conversation we need to have for our safety.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) November 1, 2017
I'm late to the NYPD press conference because I couldn't find a non Muslim cab or @Uber @lyft driver for over 30 min! This is insanity.
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) November 1, 2017
Taking note of these tweets, Uber banned the right-wing activist, and Lyft followed suit.
“Loomer was banned for violating our Community Guidelines,” Uber Spokesperson Matt Kallman said in a statement. Scott Coriell, a spokesperson for Lyft, said the ride-hailing service had deactivated Loomer’s account.
