Following a series of tweets in which she complained about Muslim drivers on Uber and Lyft, far-right commentator Laura Loomer has been banned from both of the ride-share services.
According to CNet, this began when Loomer tweeted about how someone should create a "non Islamic form of Uber or Lyft." She was responding to the terrorist attack in New York where Sayfullo Saipov, a former driver for the two companies, allegedly struck and killed eight people while driving down a bike lane, injuring many more. Loomer's tweet continued: "I never want to support another Islamic immigrant driver." After that, Loomer then complained about being late to a New York Police Department press conference because she couldn't get a "non Muslim" cab, Uber, or Lyft driver.
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
Then, in another tweet, she snapped a photo of two women wearing hijab walking near the site of the attack, accusing them of "rubbing it in everyone's face."
Muslims are out in full force at the scene of the NYC #ISIS attack today rubbing it in everyone's face. Aimlessly walking around in hijabs. pic.twitter.com/UV0DOikmJy
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) November 1, 2017
Model Gigi Hadid noticed the photo, and tweeted her response to Loomer, which resulted in the tweet going viral.
Laura, I hate to give you the attention, but I need to tell you- You're a f**king moron. https://t.co/fCezijj2Ao
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 1, 2017
So not only was taking this photo a heinous, creepy thing to do, but she then followed up those baseless accusations, writing, "You'd think they'd have the decency to not walk around in hijabs @ cross street of the attack. But they don't. I bet they're loving this."
Uber told Business Insider that they banned Loomer because she violated their community guidelines, which everyone is required to follow when they use their service. Lyft followed suit later, confirming that they had banned Loomer as well.
The Verge goes on to point out that this isn't the first time that the two companies have banned far-right agitators. After August's violent protests in Charlottesville, Uber banned white supremacist James Allsup and Tim "Baked Alaska" Gionet after they made their Uber driver uncomfortable by making racist remarks while driving past the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Their driver, a black woman, kicked the two out of her car.
At the time, Uber's Regional General Manager Meghan Verena Joyce wrote an e-mail to the Uber driver community condemning the actions of neo-Nazis at the violent demonstrations, saying that the company will back them up if they have to end their ride for whatever reason. The full e-mail was shared on Twitter via the New York Times' Mike Isaacs.
uber letter sent to drivers and employees re: nazis pic.twitter.com/1GpG3O0yUj
— ಠ_ಠ (@MikeIsaac) August 17, 2017
Related: SXSW Creates Stir By Demanding Panelist Remove Hijab