LGBTQ Protester Strikes Conservative Activist with Flagpole Outside Track Meet (Video)

A high school championship turned into chaos Friday night when a conservative activist was allegedly assaulted by a masked LGBTQ protester wielding a transgender pride flag pole—just yards away from an already controversial sporting event that featured a biologically male athlete competing in girls’ events.

The suspect, 19-year-old Ethan Kroll, was taken into custody by Clovis police and is now facing serious charges: assault with a deadly weapon, vandalism, and obstruction of a public officer.

The man on the receiving end of the attack was Josh Fulfer, a California-based conservative livestreamer and political commentator known online as “Oreo Express.” Fulfer, who regularly covers conservative causes in California, told authorities the altercation occurred near a red light outside Buchanan High School, where the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state track and field championship was being held.

Attack at a Red Light

According to Fulfer, the incident began when Kroll and others—dressed in black clothing and wearing face coverings—recognized him while he was driving with his wife.

“They started yelling at me from the median. I asked why they were hiding their faces if they were so proud,” Fulfer recounted. “Next thing I know, I hear, ‘You’re Josh Fulfer!’ and he starts jabbing the flagpole through my open window—into my arm and chest.”

Police reports confirm that Kroll then allegedly rammed the pole into Fulfer’s vehicle, leaving dents in the roof and rear door. Fulfer says he used pepper spray to defend himself during the attack.

Photographs shared by Fulfer show clear damage to the vehicle, which was later documented by officers.

“I wasn’t out there trying to stir anything up. I was just driving home,” Fulfer told a local conservative outlet Saturday morning. “But the second they recognized me, it turned into a hate-filled ambush.”

Clovis Police Sgt. Chris Hutchison confirmed officers were monitoring protest activity nearby and stepped in quickly once the attack escalated.

“We fully support citizens exercising their right to free speech—but we will not tolerate violence, vandalism, or intimidation tactics,” Hutchison said. “There’s no excuse for what happened.”

Backdrop of Controversy: Trans Athlete Sparks Protests

The clash came amid growing outrage over the CIF’s decision to allow AB Hernandez, a biologically male transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, to compete in the girls’ division.

Hernandez dominated Friday’s preliminaries in the high jump, long jump, and triple jump—winning all three events—prompting outrage from women’s sports advocates and parents alike.

Protests had already been building all week, with dozens of demonstrators on both sides descending on Clovis ahead of the finals. Saturday morning saw a women-led protest organized by Sophia Lorey of the California Family Council, calling attention to what they describe as “the erasure of girls in sports.”

A plane circled the event Friday evening with a banner reading, “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!”—a message that earned cheers from many in attendance.

Federal Eyes Now on California

The controversy isn’t limited to Clovis. On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed it is opening an investigation into the California Interscholastic Federation and state Attorney General Rob Bonta over whether California’s gender inclusion laws violate Title IX protections for female athletes.

President Donald Trump weighed in last week, calling the situation “an absolute disgrace” and threatening to cut federal funding to any state or institution that “allows this madness to continue.”

CIF Changes Rules Under Pressure

Amid rising national pressure, CIF officials announced rule adjustments mid-week—expanding the number of girls who can advance to finals and awarding “displaced athlete medals” to any biological females who lose a spot to a trans competitor.

But for many parents, athletes, and conservatives, the changes are too little, too late.

“Girls are being pushed aside, and we’re expected to sit down and smile about it,” said one mother whose daughter placed just behind Hernandez. “It’s not fairness. It’s forced silence.”

As for the alleged assault, Fulfer said he’s pressing charges—and he hopes the incident serves as a wake-up call.

“When disagreement turns into violence, it’s not protest—it’s radicalism,” Fulfer said. “And I’m not backing down.”

Kroll is scheduled for arraignment early next week in Fresno County. The investigation remains ongoing.