Violent Protests Follow Trans Athlete Victory, California State Track Championships

The California State Track and Field Championships in Clovis became a flashpoint for heated controversy after transgender athlete AB Hernandez, 16, dominated events including the high jump, long jump, and triple jump, sparking protests and national debate. Despite former President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender athletes from competing against women, Hernandez competed and advanced to multiple finals, prompting outrage from some parents and competitors, as well as supportive protests. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) responded by adjusting competition rules to award medals to biological female athletes who finish behind Hernandez, acknowledging the contentious environment. The situation escalated to violent incidents, including the arrest of LGBTQ protester Ethan Kroll for assaulting conservative activist Josh Fulfer with a flagpole and another arrest for vandalism involving a trans flag. Police intervened after protesters used pepper spray and property damage occurred, reflecting the deep divisions over transgender participation in women's sports. Hernandez’s mother denounced the backlash as a national campaign of cruelty, while a plane flew a banner declaring “No boys in girls sports” over the event, highlighting the ongoing cultural and political tensions surrounding transgender athletes in competitive sports.