Lansing Ignite supporters' group removes members for 'racist, otherwise distasteful' social media posts
Eric Lacy
UPDATE: The Assembly Line released late Monday night a second statement that confirmed Eric Gibbs, its former president, and another member had their memberships revoked.
LANSING -- The supporters' group for Lansing's first professional soccer team has revoked the memberships from people who have displayed "racist and otherwise distasteful social media activity," according to a news release posted Sunday evening on Twitter.
A Twitter message from The Assembly Line's account sent to a State Journal reporter wouldn't disclose how many people have been removed from the club or their names.
"The public statement we issued will be the only statement we make right now in regards to the topic," the message said. "If any changes occur we’ll let you know."
News of The Assembly Line's decision came nearly seven hours after a soccer website called Tuebor Football Company posted a blog that accuses two people connected to the fan club — president Eric Gibbs and member Alex Hirschman — of creating racist social media posts and sharing conspiracy theories since 2013.
Messages left Monday with Gibbs and Hirschman weren't returned.
Twitter pages mentioned in the blog as accounts for Gibbs and Hirschman appear to have been suspended or removed.
Attempts to reach Jordan Stoddard, listed on the Tuebor Football Company website as creator of the blog post entitled "Rooting Out Racism in Right Field," weren't successful.
The Assembly Line's news release from its board of directors said the people who have been removed from the club made the social media posts before they became members. It added the people do not represent "our aims and to be inclusive and respectful towards all."
The Assembly Line, a group of about 50 members, is independent of the Lansing Ignite team but works closely with the Ignite on facets of the match day experience.
Status unclear
It was unclear Monday if Gibbs still serves as The Assembly Line's president and Hirschmann remains a member. As of early Monday afternoon, the website for the group no longer listed Gibbs as president.
Gibbs, then serving as president, told the State Journal on March 15 for a story published last week that the group's goal is to "help grow the sport in the city, as well as the city grow overall."
Gibbs led Assembly Line members Saturday afternoon on a march from the Lansing Brewing Company to Cooley Law School Stadium for the Ignite's home opener against the Richmond Kickers.
Banned from games?
It's unclear how The Assembly Line's board of directors will enforce the membership ban.
Members sit in a designated supporters section at home games, but non-members can also buy individual and season tickets in that area.
A statement from the Ignite emailed Monday to the State Journal wouldn't confirm or deny it will ban people from games who had their Assembly Line membership revoked for racist and offensive social media posts.
"Lansing Ignite FC has been made aware of unacceptable actions by members of The Assembly Line, the independent supporters’ group of LIFC, and support the group’s statement from Sunday on celebrating diversity and inclusiveness," the statement said. "LIFC, as well as those associated with the club, do not tolerate offensive behavior or language of any kind, under any circumstances, and it does not reflect the values of the club or the Lansing community."
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Eric Lacy is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at 517-377-1206 or elacy@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricLacy.