RALEIGH, N.C. --  A group of Republican volunteers say they were kicked to the curb this weekend by a popular ride-sharing service.

  • Godbey was traveling to the Tar Heel state with five other Washington, DC area volunteers
  • While the group was having a self described "politically charged conversation" in an Uber that the driver decided he did not want their business
  • Political observers say this type of incident may be shocking but also is indicative of the current political discourse

“We were dropped off at an unknown location in a city that was unfamiliar to us,” says Chris Godbey, with the Young Republicans National Federation.

Godbey was traveling to the Tar Heel state with five other Washington, DC area volunteers. It was while the group was having a self-described "politically charged conversation" in an Uber that the driver decided he did not want their business.

Godbey said the driver stated “I reserve the right to drive who I like and you can get out now. This is your destination and your ride has been terminated." Godbey also said as they were exiting the vehicle he said "Welcome to the resistance," and drove off.

The member of the group who ordered the rideshare got a message after they were kicked out of the car saying she had been inappropriate toward her driver.

For Uber's part, a spokeswoman has released a statement saying:

“We expect all riders and drivers to treat each other with respect and we’re looking into this situation.”

Uber also pointed to its Community Guidelines - which include safety first, respecting each other and a zero tolerance for discrimination.

Uber's guideline to drivers says that a driver loses access to their account if you refuse to provide services based on characteristics like a person's race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, gender identity, age or any other legally protected status.

Political observers say this type of incident may be shocking but also is indicative of the current political discourse.

“For the average citizens that see this, they are left with saying, 'Is that where we are?'” says David McLennan with Meredith College. 

“Where people are being denied service in restaurants or kicked out of Uber because of their political affiliation, I think it is a head scratcher for a lot of people.”

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