Rallies supporting Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham are planned outside WNBA games in Portland, Oregon, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. The events reflect a growing fan movement around Cunningham, who has publicly defended women’s sports, and could intensify debate around the league’s handling of related issues.

Washington-based activist Amy Sousa is organising the Portland rally after helping to arrange an earlier event in Seattle. The demonstrations are scheduled for Fever games this weekend and are being described by organisers as “Sophie Night” events in two Democratic-leaning cities.