High school Trump supporter yells ‘faggot’ at protestors, loses college wrestling scholarship
Bronson Harmon lost his scholarship to California Polytechnic after being filmed yelling the anti-gay slur at a "Keep Families Together" rally
A high schooler who went viral after he screamed “fuck you faggot” at a political rally has lost his athletic scholarship.
Bronson Harmon, 18, was filmed during a counter-protest to a “Keep Families Together” rally in Modesto, Calif., last month, which was calling for an end to President Donald Trump’s immigration policies allowing migrant children to be separated from parents if they crossed the border illegally.
Abdul Lasaing filmed Bronson Harmon flipping off the camera and screaming the slur as he and his group walked by with “Donald Trump 2016” campaign signs and flags. Lasaing also alleges that Harmon’s group were shouting “send their asses back” and even yelled the n-word, which led to him filming them as they walked by.
“I not once said anything to these guys I was just walking,” Lasaing said to San Luis Obispo’s Tribune. “I’m not sure if I was disrespected for my skin color or my ‘World Peace’ sign. I was shocked.”
Bronson Harmon said that he “totally regrets” saying the slur now. “I got caught up in the heat of the moment,” he said. “I was there to peacefully protest the things that we believe, and people were harassing us, spitting on us and calling us Nazis.”
While Todd Harmon, Bronson’s father, opted to not be interviewed, he told KOVR in Sacramento that his son was losing his wrestling scholarship to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo as a result of the video. This was confirmed by the school, who said that Bronson Harmon would not be a part of school athletics this upcoming school year.
“Bronson Harmon will not be a member of Cal Poly’s wrestling team but we cannot comment on any details regarding his status as a student because of federal and state privacy laws,” Communications Specialist Cynthia Lambert said.
Cal Poly Athletic Director Don Oberhelman said that student-athletes sign their offer with a caveat that their scholarship can be revoked if they cause embarrassment to the school. Despite this, Bronson Harmon said he does not think this video should have impacted his future.
“Saying what I said is definitely not the right thing. I am supposed to be there to help the community be the best person I can be and represent the college the best way I can,” Bronson Harmon said. “But I still feel like my freedom of speech was taken away, and I don’t think my scholarship should have been revoked over something like that.”
Todd Harmon said that the family is “devastated” and are considering a First Amendment lawsuit against the University. Bronson is still planning to attend the school in the fall.
Lasaing expressed sympathy for Harmon losing his scholarship, but told the Tribune “I do believe there is consequences for your actions. I hope he gets all the help he needs.”
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