'March against Mills': Maine gov faces backlash for supporting men in women's sports, bucking Trump EO

Women’s rights protesters gathered outside Maine’s State House on Saturday morning for the March Against Mills, opposing Governor Janet Mills' refusal to adhere to President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting biological men from competing in women’s and girls’ sports.

Mills has come under fire after publicly clashing with Trump, stating that Maine would not comply with the order. At the protest, female athletes took turns speaking out against the state, calling for the protection of women’s sports.

"We have waited. We have spoken up. We have trusted those in power that they would protect the integrity of women’s sports. But our patience has only been met with inaction, dismissal and policies that continue to erode the opportunities and fairness that female athletes deserve," said Julia Deitrick, a junior at Lincoln Academy who recently gained attention for her speech at a school board meeting, according to Fox News.

"This is not just about one team, one game or one season. This is about the future of women’s sports. It’s about every young girl in the state of Maine who laces up her cleats or steps onto the track with a dream of competing on a fair and level playing field. It’s about the generations of women before us who have fought for the right to participate in athletics and the generations after us who deserve the same experience and same fairness and respect we once took for granted,” Deitrick continued. "If fighting for fairness makes us controversial, so be it. The reality is fighting for fairness in sports is not just a preference, it’s a necessity.”

She went on to encourage female athletes to refuse to compete, saying, “Let the silence of the scoreboards and stillness of the fields send a message louder than words ever could. … We are not just athletes. We are not just students. We are fighters. And we will not stop until fairness is restored and women’s sports remain for biological women."

Another speaker, Isabelle Hope, a former high school state softball champion and Division I athlete, said she was aware she "might lose some friends" by speaking out but emphasized that fairness in sports should not be a political issue.

"I’m not up here for any political reason. I am here today because our girls should not have to fight for a fair chance. That chance should already be there and be protected," Hope said. "If someone truly feels like they are in the wrong skin, I fully believe they have every right to transition.”

"We are a free country. However, I do not think women should have to sacrifice their spaces for equality because there will always be a difference when it comes to sports,” she added.

Governor Mills was at a White House working session when President Trump confronted her over her refusal to comply with his executive order. Trump warned that Maine would lose federal funding if it did not follow the directive. Mills responded by saying, "See you in court," to which Trump replied "Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after, Governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”

Ahead of the protest, an online petition calling for Mills’ recall had gathered over 22,000 signatures.