Seattle’s radical Democrat Mayor Bruce Harrell played the race card in response to criticism over his statement blaming a Christian group for violence by Antifa and transgender activists that shut down the Christians’ permitted rally in a city park on Saturday. Twenty-three violent protesters were arrested.
Seattle pastor Russell Johnson has announced a protest will be held at City Hall Tuesday afternoon to demand Harrell’s apology or resignation.
It’s time for the @MayorofSeattle to either apologize or resign. Meet us on the front steps of City Hall this Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/FI3e6wlW7V
— Russell Johnson (@russellbjohnson) May 26, 2025
Johnson’s statement on the protest:
Reporter Jonathan Choe posted a photo from Monday night’s KIRO-TV news report that shows a statement by Mayor Harrell playing the race card. Harrell’s father was Black and his mother was Japanese.
“We will not be intimidated by the kind of fear mongering or divisiveness inspired by the rally … that takes aim at our residents and at Seattle’s second Black and first biracial mayor.”
#BREAKING: OMG! Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell(@MayorofSeattle) is in panic mode after victim-blaming Christians for the Antifa violence over the weekend at Cal Anderson Park.
He’s now pulling the race card to garner sympathy for his disastrous response. Instead of showing humility… https://t.co/9rh4SmprbR pic.twitter.com/zEKqX1JEDn— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) May 27, 2025
Watch the Frontlines TPUSA report on the left-wing violence at Saturday’s “Don’t Mess With Our Kids” rally put on by May Day USA:
NEW: A violent mob of Antifa militants tried to disrupt a Christian concert in Seattle over the weekend.
Instead of coming to the defense of peaceful worshippers, Democratic @MayorofSeattle Bruce Harrell called the gathering an “extreme right-wing rally,” essentially… pic.twitter.com/XvOyPXFGVi
— FRONTLINES (@FrontlinesTPUSA) May 27, 2025
Johnson’s original statement on the rally also questioned the city government granting a permit to the Christian group:
“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.”
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, weighed in on the mayor’s comments, posting, “To deny a group a permit to pray in a public space because of crowd reaction is the classic heckler’s veto, which is barred by the First Amendment. Seattle’s Mayor clearly needs an education in viewpoint discrimination.”
To deny a group a permit to pray in a public space because of crowd reaction is the classic heckler’s veto, which is barred by the First Amendment. Seattle’s Mayor clearly needs an education in viewpoint discrimination. https://t.co/QxhkEwDQPE
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) May 25, 2025
TGP’s Mike LaChance reported Monday night that the Seattle Police Guild is also upset with the mayor.
KIRO-TV video report at link in X post:
Calls grow for Seattle mayor to step down after weekend arrests https://t.co/Sie6Fx4dV8
— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) May 27, 2025
Seattle talk radio host Jason Rantz reported almost al arrested protesters were released on their own recognizance:
All but one of the activists accused of assault during the mass action against a Christian worship event in Seattle have been released on their own personal recognizance by Judge Pro Tem Sarah Perez (unclear why).
Note: Typo in email. Name is Hollie, per KCPAO. pic.twitter.com/HMxAbKTap7
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 27, 2025
