Bronson Harmon, a star high school wrestler who was headed to Cal Poly Tech, has had his scholarship revoked after video of him using a homophobic slur went viral.
Harmon, an 18-year-old Oakdale High School graduate, was recorded yelling a homophobic slur and making an obscene gesture during a counter-protest of the Families Belong Together March in Modesto, California, on June 30.
Harmon is claiming his first amendment rights are being infringed upon, telling The Tribune:
“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.”
“But I still feel like my freedom of speech was taken away, and I don’t think my scholarship should have been revoked over something like that.”
He had signed a letter of intent with the university in November 2017.
According to The Mercury News, Harmon and his father were allegedly also involved in a physical altercation at the counter-protest. The incident reportedly led to a formal complaint being filed with the Modesto Police Department.
Bronson’s father Todd says they’re considering suing the university. The elder Harmon can be heard yelling Harmon “Send their asses back!” in the video.
via The Tribune:
Harmon shows his middle finger to the person recording and says “Fu** you fa**ot” as he notices he is being recorded.
Earlier in the video, Todd Harmon can be heard yelling “Send their a**es back!” as he walks down the street. The video has been viewed over 30,000 times on Facebook as of Tuesday evening.
Abdul Lasaing, who recorded the video, said he heard the men shouting as they approached so he pulled out his cell phone.
While the Cal Poly wrestling team is now out of the picture, Harmon said he still plans to attend Cal Poly in the fall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w-tKrn4_ls
