Seattle Mayor Rips Christians After They Are Attacked By Leftists At Rally

After leftist radicals — some clothed in black and wearing masks — attacked a Christian rally in Seattle on Saturday, Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a statement in which he condemned the Christian organizers of the event.

The rally in Cal Anderson Park, described by Harrell as “Seattle’s most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood,” prompted the arrest of at least 22 people, Fox 13 reported, which added, “Mayor Harrell is now directing the Parks Department to review the circumstances of the rally organizer’s application.” Mayday USA, the rally’s organizer, is reportedly described as “a faith-based activist group that calls on Christians to speak out against abortion, child trafficking and the perceived moral decline of society.”

In the wake of Saturday’s altercation, Harrell released the following statement, in which he called the service a “far-right rally” and declared there was an “extreme right-wing national effort to attack our trans and LGBTQ+ communities”:

Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice. Today’s far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city’s values, in the heart of Seattle’s most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood.

When the humanity of trans people and those who have been historically marginalized is questioned, we triumph by demonstrating our values through our words and peaceful protest – we lose our voice when this is disrupted by violence, chaos, and confusion.

Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did.

While there are broad First Amendment requirements around permitting events under free speech protections, I am directing the Parks Department to review all of the circumstances of this application to understand whether there were legal location alternatives or other adjustments that could have been pursued. The Police Department will complete an after-action report of this event, including understanding preparation, crowd management tactics, and review of arrests and citations.

I am grateful for those who make their voices heard in support of our neighbors without resorting to violence. 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.

One of the participants in the rally, Russell Johnson, the lead pastor at Pursuit NW, wrote on X that Harrell had claimed he was targeted because he was biracial, noting:

The @MayorofSeattle tries to reach out to me via back channels. I told his folks… i’m happy to talk after he apologizes and retracts his bigoted statements about people of faith. **crickets** Now he releases a statement saying he is being “intimidated” because he is biracial. That’s how you know we are winning. That’s how you know his resignation is impending.  News Flash  @MayorofSeattle: you attacked us in public and you will be held to account in public.  If you want to talk, me and 1000 others will be on your doorstep Tuesday at 5PM.

The @MayorofSeattle tries to reach out to me via back channels. I told his folks… i’m happy to talk after he apologizes and retracts his bigoted statements about people of faith.

**crickets**

Now he releases a statement saying he is being “intimidated” because he is biracial.… pic.twitter.com/A9Vyqzun5y

— Russell Johnson (@russellbjohnson) May 27, 2025

The legal group Alliance Defending Freedom is considering getting involved:

Alliance Defending Freedom is evaluating legal action against @MayorofSeattle and @CityofSeattle officials following the violent disruption of the MayDay USA worship event.

Federal and state laws protect free speech and religious freedom for all, regardless of their views.…

— Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal) May 27, 2025

Johnson also released an announcement of the planned Tuesday rally:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: pic.twitter.com/K8ThKOCxMy

— Russell Johnson (@russellbjohnson) May 26, 2025