Audience interrupts Tumwater School District Board of Directors meeting with 'repeal, resign, replace' chant

During a Tumwater School District Board of Directors work session on April 10, 2025, community members made their voices heard by protesting the district's support for an athletics organization's stance that limits transgender girls' participation in sports. Chants of “repeal, resign, replace” and “trans rights are human rights” echoed through the meeting, prompting Board President Melissa Beard to recess the session. Beard had previously cautioned attendees about being disruptive, emphasizing that anyone causing a disturbance would be asked to leave. The situation escalated to the point where the commotion was audible in the live stream broadcast of the meeting. This disruption follows a similar incident in February, where board members reported harassment from the public.

The ongoing protests highlight the community's deep concerns regarding transgender rights and the policies affecting young athletes. The Tumwater School District's handling of these issues will likely continue to draw significant public interest and discourse. As debates around inclusion in sports persist, this incident serves as a microcosm of larger societal conversations on equality and rights.