23 people arrested at Cal Anderson Park when rally, counterprotesters clash
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said the far-right rally was specifically held at the park in Seattle’s known LGBTQ+ neighborhood “to provoke a reaction.”
SEATTLE — The Seattle Police Department (SPD) arrested 23 people Saturday at Cal Anderson Park when counterprotesters clashed with a religious rally.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said the far-right rally was specifically held at the park in Seattle’s known LGBTQ+ neighborhood “to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city’s values.”
People gathered at Cal Anderson on Saturday to counterprotest “Mayday USA,” a rally hosted by On Fire Ministries, a religious organization.
According to the religious organization’s Facebook page, the multi-city rally is described as “standing together for Biblical truth and values” under the “#DontMessWithOurKids” movement. The group, which is against abortion and does not support the LGBTQ+ community, is also hosting events in New York, Houston, Miami and Los Angeles.
“Well, I think coming to this park was really provocative, you know, and so they’re gonna get met with resistance,” said Doreen McGrath, Seattle Freedom Socialist Party.
The counterprotest, involving multiple local community organizations, is picketing under the theme of “Keep Your Bibles Off Our Bodies.”
SPD posted about the arrests Saturday afternoon on X. The department’s first post said in part, “Orders are being given to protesters to back away from officers and to stop throwing items at officers.”
Police said additional officers are responding to the park, including the Washington State Patrol.
SPD said 11 people were initially arrested when the two groups clashed around 1:30 p.m. Throughout the day, another 12 people were arrested for assault and obstruction, according to the department.
One of the people arrested was a juvenile, who was released. The other 22 people were booked into the King County Jail.
One officer was injured during the protests.
In a statement, Harrell called Seattle “a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice.”
Harrell said anarchists joined the counterprotesters, which resulted in violence and arrests. He said the event organizers shut down the event early after being asked to do so.
The mayor directed the Parks department to review the rally’s application to find out if there were other location alternatives or other event adjustments that could have been made, he said.
“I am grateful for those who make their voices heard in support of our neighbors without resorting to violence,” Harrell said in a statement. “In the face of an extreme right-wing national effort to attack our trans and LGBTQ+ communities, Seattle will continue to stand unwavering in our embrace of diversity, love for our neighbors, and commitment to justice and fairness.”
