Overview

• On May 24, hundreds of counter-protesters converged on a MayDay USA Christian gathering at Cal Anderson Park, triggering violence that left one officer hospitalized and led to 23 arrests for assault and obstruction.
• Mayor Bruce Harrell labeled the event a “far-right rally” intended to provoke Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community and ordered reviews of the park permit process and police crowd-management tactics.
• MayDay USA supporters held a second rally outside Seattle City Hall on May 27 to demand an apology or resignation from Mayor Harrell, during which eight counter-protesters were arrested.
• FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced that the bureau is investigating allegations of “targeted violence against religious groups” at the Seattle events.
• The White House Faith Office publicly condemned the disruption of the prayer rally and reaffirmed the constitutional rights to free speech and religious freedom for all Americans.