Seattle police arrested 23 individuals throughout a violent counter-protest by Antifa and transgender activists of a conservative Christian group holding a gathering in Cal Anderson Park Saturday afternoon. The Christian gathering was voluntarily shut down within the face of the left wing violence on the request of police. Cal Anderson Park was a part of the 2020 leftist occupation referred to as CHOP.
Display photographs by way of Russell Johnson by way of X.
The Seattle Times reported there have been about 500 attendees on either side. The “Don’t Mess With Our Children” rally on the park was a part of a 5 metropolis tour referred to as May Day USA, in search of to guard kids from the unconventional LGBTQ agenda.
Extremely, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell attacked the Christians in an official assertion Saturday evening.
Compilation video of the Christian gathering and Antifa/trans battles with Seattle police defending the occasion posted by Pastor Russell Johnson (with a prolonged rant towards the mayor):
The @MayorofSeattle owes Christians in WA State an apology for his bigoted remarks after of us who had been holding a peaceable worship occasion at Cal Anderson Park had been violently assaulted for the excessive crime of expressing their deeply held non secular beliefs within the type of a permitted… pic.twitter.com/sxP1fHWR75
— Russell Johnson (@russellbjohnson) May 25, 2025
Video of police arresting violent protesters posted by KOMO-TV reporter Jeremy Harris:
NOW: A number of arrests throughout a chaotic counter-protest at a Christian church occasion in Cal Anderson Park.
‘On Fireplace Ministries’ deliberate the rally to oppose abortion and promote their views on gender. Professional-trans rights protesters gathered to oppose.
(Language warning)@komonews pic.twitter.com/CPkt7tOo4W
— Jeremy Harris (@JeremyHarrisTV) May 24, 2025

Mayor Harrell Statement on Extreme Right-Wing Rally at Cal Anderson Park
Seattle is happy with our fame as a welcoming, inclusive metropolis for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors after they face bigotry and injustice. As we speak’s far-right rally was held right here for this very motive – to impress a response by selling beliefs which are inherently against our metropolis’s values, within the coronary heart of Seattle’s most outstanding LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
“When the humanity of trans individuals and those that have been traditionally marginalized is questioned, we triumph by demonstrating our values by way of our phrases and peaceable protest – we lose our voice when that is disrupted by violence, chaos, and confusion.
“Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and impressed violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to close down the occasion early, which they did.
“Whereas there are broad First Modification necessities round allowing occasions underneath free speech protections, I’m directing the Parks Division to overview the entire circumstances of this utility to know whether or not there have been authorized location alternate options or different changes that would have been pursued. The Police Division will full an after-action report of this occasion, together with understanding preparation, crowd administration ways, and overview of arrests and citations.
“I’m grateful for many who make their voices heard in assist of our neighbors with out resorting to violence. Within the face of an excessive right-wing nationwide effort to assault our trans and LGBTQ+ communities, Seattle will proceed to face unwavering in our embrace of variety, love for our neighbors, and dedication to justice and equity.”
Press release for the Could Day USA tour:
Prayer Activism Motion Calls Public Occasions In 5 Main Cities
The grassroots motion #DontMessWithOurKids, which met to wish exterior each state capitol on April 13, 2024, has deliberate a brand new collection of outside occasions referred to as Mayday USA. The occasions are occurring all through Could in 5 main cities throughout America: New York, Miami, Houston, Seattle, and Los Angeles.
“We’re presently residing in a hinge of historical past second that can affect generations to come back. One which calls for a response from each man and lady on the face of the planet,” mentioned organizers Jenny Donnelly and Ross Johnston. “As tens of millions of infants are aborted yearly, tons of of 1000’s of youngsters are trafficked, and the nations of the earth are in disaster—we are able to now not sit silent and stay quiet.”
The #DontMessWithOurKids motion stands for the sanctity of human life, the sacrality of organic gender, the significance of the nuclear household, and the fitting to freedom of speech and faith. Mayday USA occasions will provide prayer and assets to assist post-abortive women and men, trafficking victims, those that want freedom from identical intercourse attraction, and those that are combating sexual and drug addictions all through their restoration course of.
Mayday USA shall be held [insert date and location specifics]. There shall be free youngsters’ haircuts and bicycle giveaways from 2-5 pm, previous to the principle occasion, which begins at 6 pm and consists of music, prayer, and audio system. Attendees are inspired to put on the #DontMessWithOurKids flag colours–pink and blue. For extra data and to become involved, go to maydayusa.co
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#DontMessWithOurKids is a grassroots motion that refuses to face idly by whereas the kids of our nation are indoctrinated by a liberal, political, and sexual agenda that seeks to destroy their God-given identities. We imagine we should freely train our constitutional rights as Individuals as we stand boldly for reality, justice, and righteousness within the public sq..
Seattle police press release on the arrests:
Officers arrested 23 individuals at a protest inside Cal Anderson Park Saturday afternoon.
Police working to maintain two totally different teams aside, witnessed a number of individuals inside one group throw gadgets on the opposing group round 1:30 PM Saturday. Officers instantly moved to arrest the individuals accountable, and whereas taking the people into custody, had been assaulted by extra protesters, leading to much more arrests. In complete, officers arrested 11 in the course of the inital scuffle.
Officers escorted the arrested people out of the gang and later transported them to the Seattle Police West Precinct for processing.
Police stayed on the scene for the rest of the occasion.
All through the afternoon, 12 extra arrests had been made for assault and obstruction.
At roughly 5:30 PM, Troopers with the Washington State Patrol arrived on the scene to supply officers with a quick alternative to relaxation.
One officer was handled and launched from the hospital for an harm sustained in the course of the protests.
In complete, police arrested 22 people for fees of assault and obstruction and booked them into King County Jail. Officers additionally arrested one juvenile for obstruction, who was launched from the precinct.
Naturally, the Seattle Democratic Socialists of America criticized police for safeguarding the Christian rally.
Seattle DSA Condemns Anti-Trans Police Violence in Cal Anderson Park pic.twitter.com/7T9aa69kzP
— Seattle DSA (@SeattleDSA) May 25, 2025