Mayor Bruce Harrell (D) issued a statement saying that followers were not violent rebels, not devotees, had gathered at the rally after a leftist mob reportedly attacked a group of Christian worshipers in Seattle on Saturday.
The May 24 service took place at Cal Anderson Park, which Harrell described as the city’s “most notable LGBTQ+ neighborhood.” In a statement, he called the planned event “a “far-right rally” aimed at promoting responses by promoting beliefs that are essentially opposed to the values of our city at the heart of Seattle’s most prominent (LGBT) neighbourhoods.
However, according to evangelist Ross Johnston, one of the event’s leaders, it was the city, not his group that chose their place of worship.
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“We actually tried to get permission from Pike Place, a completely different location,” he said. “The city refused and said, ‘Hey, I recommend Cal Anderson Park.’ ”
Johnston said he recalled asking city officials if they were sure it was a good idea, perhaps knowing the area’s progressive bend. Despite his concerns, he was ultimately given city recommendations.
The worship event was held by Pro-Life Group Mayday USA as part of the “#DontMessWithourKids” tour. What began as a peaceful demonstration came quickly down to Chaos as rioters wore black clothes and masks to obscure their identity.
Before that was over, police arrested at least 23 people, KCPQ-TV reported.
Johnston said one of the rebels who was reportedly told he later pulled a knife to the 17-year-old attendee. He explained that he was attending the meeting, he explained.
“I realised really quickly, ‘OK, this isn’t just going to be a few wild people here. We have a real situation,” he said of the violent mob that crashed the service.
Regarding the mayor’s response, Johnston said Harrell was “choosing the side” by claiming that Christians legally gathered at the park promoted ideas that “essentially opposed” to the city’s views.
“He had chosen the protesters’ side, so we knew we had to oppose it,” he said.
Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative religious freedom law firm, announced Monday that it is considering legal action against the mayor and the city of Seattle.
Alliance Defending Freedom is evaluating legal action against @Mayorofseattle and @Cityofseattle officials following the violent disruption at the Mayday USA worship event.
Federal and state laws protect freedom of speech and religious freedom for everyone, regardless of their opinions.
– Alliance Defending Freedom (@adflegal) May 27, 2025
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