A Christian rally in Seattle turned chaotic on Saturday when leftist radicals, some dressed in black and wearing masks, disrupted the event. The rally, organized by Mayday USA, took place in Cal Anderson Park, a well-known area in the city’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood. The event, which aimed to address issues like abortion and child trafficking, led to the arrest of at least 22 individuals.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell condemned the rally and its organizers in a statement, labeling it a “far-right rally.” He expressed concern over what he described as an “extreme right-wing national effort” targeting the LGBTQ+ community. The mayor emphasized Seattle’s commitment to inclusivity and support for marginalized groups, particularly transgender individuals.
In his remarks, Harrell noted that the rally was intentionally provocative, stating that it was held in a location that contradicts the city’s values. He mentioned that anarchists infiltrated the counter-protesters, which resulted in violence and necessitated police intervention. The Seattle Police Department was directed to conduct an after-action report to assess the situation, including crowd management and the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
Russell Johnson, the lead pastor at Pursuit NW and a participant in the rally, responded to Harrell’s statements on social media. He accused the mayor of making bigoted remarks about people of faith and suggested that Harrell’s claims of being targeted due to his biracial identity were a distraction. Johnson indicated that he and others would hold a rally outside the mayor’s office to demand accountability.
The situation has attracted attention from legal groups, with the Alliance Defending Freedom considering potential legal action against the mayor and city officials. They argue that federal and state laws protect free speech and religious expression for everyone, regardless of their beliefs.
As the community processes the fallout from the event, tensions remain high, with both sides preparing for further demonstrations and discussions in the coming days.