Controversy at Portland Thorns Game: Activists Clash with Fans
On Friday night, a group of women’s sports activists attended a Portland Thorns game. They wore XX-XY Athletics T-shirts and held signs stating ‘Save Women’s Sports.’ Their peaceful presence led to hostilities from some pro-trans Thorns fans. These fans reportedly struck the activists with a flagpole, verbally assaulted them, and involved security, which resulted in some activists being removed from the game.
After the match, the Portland Thorns social media team posted an appreciative message to their fans, commending the support and energy provided during the game. However, supporters of ‘Save Women’s Sports’ responded critically, highlighting the violence and intolerance displayed at the event.
the absolute best fans in all the land 🫶 thank you for the best atmosphere, support and energy tonight and all season long! we couldn’t do it without you!
The post faced backlash, as several social media users accused the fans of being violent and those involved in the altercation were called out. Users like Dustin Grage, Andy Ngo, and Charlotte Welcker criticized the actions of the security and fans, stating that the women were assaulted without justification.
An incident highlighted a male fan shoving a 57-year-old woman down two rows of seats. Brandi Kruse, a reporter and activist, was also physically restrained by security and removed from the stadium. She reported on social media about her friend Julie, who was involved in the altercation, mentioning that Julie had filed a police report following the incident.
In another example of tension, a moment from a WNBA game was referenced, where fans were similarly ejected for wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts. The situation at the Thorns game was characterized by many as a failure to respect free speech and an example of fans resorting to violence and intolerance.
The overall sentiment was one of disappointment, with observers remarking on the radical and intolerant atmosphere promoted by the actions of some NWSL and WNBA fans. This event served as a reminder of the ongoing cultural clashes occurring in sports environments.