XX-XY Athletics activist speaks out on ejection from NWSL match after fans threw food and beer at them
Activists removed from match
Around 20 activists were escorted from the Portland Thorns match on Friday night after unfurling a Save Women’s Sports banner and displaying XX-XY shirts. The demonstration supported female-only sports.
The article says other fans struck and verbally berated members of the group. The headline refers to food and beer being thrown at the activists, but the account does not describe those incidents.
Sousa explains the message
Amy Sousa said the group was there to draw attention to issues affecting girls in sports. She said their message was to save women’s sports and argued that the category is central to women’s sporting events.
Sousa said the issue extends beyond professional athletics, affecting girls in high schools, junior highs and elementary schools. She spoke about the incident and its aftermath in an interview with Harris Faulkner.
Police reports and review
Sousa said she and other XX-XY Athletics attendees filed police reports after being removed from the stadium. She also said security told the group their shirts did not violate a policy.
Sousa suspected security removed them because staff could not adequately protect them from hostile fans. The Department of Justice has opened a review of the ejection over potential First Amendment violations.
Key points
- About 20 activists wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts were escorted from a Portland Thorns match.
- Amy Sousa said fans harassed and struck members of the group during their demonstration.
- Sousa said some attendees filed police reports after the ejection.
- The Department of Justice is reviewing the removal over potential First Amendment violations.