Protester pepper-sprayed at CIF track finals in Clovis featuring transgender athlete
A protester supporting a transgender female athlete at the California state track and field championships in Clovis was pepper-sprayed Friday during an altercation outside the track meet, police said.
Clovis police spokesperson Ty Wood said officers responded to an incident between two adults at the intersection of Nees and Minnewawa avenues outside Veterans Memorial Stadium where protesters representing both sides gathered.
A 19-year-old man in a truck got out and was arguing with a protester supporting girls rights. The incident turned into a physical altercation and the 19-year-old was pepper-sprayed by the other man.
Police arrested the 19 year old, Wood said. He was booked into Fresno County jail on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon (not a gun), vandalism and obstructing/delaying an officer. The other man was not arrested.
The altercation reflected the environment outside the venue as people gathered for the first day of the two-day day meet that includes the participation of a transgender athlete. President Donald Trump singled out the athlete in a social media post Tuesday in which he threatened to withhold federal funds from California for allowing transgender females to compete in school sports.
Before qualifying started at 1:45 p.m., there was a crowd of about 10 protesters gathered outside the stadium, receiving honks of support from passing cars.
They were there to show support for female athletes.
“I just want to speak up for fairness for all the athletes,” said Dayla Anderson of Fresno, adding it was unfair cisgender girls were set to compete with a transgender girl.
Midway through Friday’s competition, an aerial banner that read “No Boys in Girls’ Sports” began circling over the stadium. Protesters said they would return Saturday, the final day of the meet.
The transgender athlete was met with applause and cheers from the crowd at Veterans Memorial Stadium during her events. The Bee is not identifying the athlete.
She qualified for Saturday’s championships in three events: the high jump, long jump and triple jump.
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 6:37 PM.
