On June 27th at 4:30 P.M., a significant gathering took place at Cal Anderson Park, where dozens convened for a march leading to the Trans Pride Seattle event at Volunteer Park.
The park, located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, is historically significant as it was named after Washington State’s first openly gay state legislator, Calvin B. Anderson, who passed away in 1995 after fighting AIDS.
In recent years, the park has transformed into a hub for various protests, particularly against the Trump administration. A notable counter-protest against an anti-trans Christian group in May resulted in police violence and multiple arrests, raising concerns and criticism over perceived bias in law enforcement’s response.
In light of this troubling history, I arrived equipped with protective gear, including a respirator, goggles, gloves, and a hard hat, while choosing to leave my phone and identification behind as a precautionary measure.
As I mingled with the crowd, an event organizer approached me to inquire about my affiliation. After identifying myself as a member of the press, I was informed that the press liaison would soon arrive. I began surveying the crowd’s energy and searching for optimal photography angles.
However, plans shifted suddenly as the organizers decided to relocate the event to a different section of the park for improved crowd control during the speaker presentations.
Meanwhile, local anarchist groups, though not joining the march, assembled at the park, organizing their own march toward the Federal Office Building at 909 First Avenue. Over the past months, protests originating in Cal Anderson Park have frequently diverted to the Federal Office Building, with significant demonstrations like the No-Kings protests and Anti-ICE rallies drawing attention.
Tensions appeared palpable between the Socialist Alternative and the unaffiliated anarchists, with the former viewing the presence of the latter as potentially problematic.
While the stage was being set for the speakers, I connected with Amber, the press liaison for Socialist Alternative. When I asked about the aim of the march, Amber articulated how it served as an outlet for the “anger and desperation around Trump’s attacks on trans people and the working class.”
I followed up by probing what challenges they anticipated during the rally. Amber’s response reflected defiance, stating, “Honestly not too many — there is always the risk of the right wing.”
The march featured three speakers: Joan Wright, the event organizer; Marissa, a nurse from the Service Employees International Union 1199 in the Northwest; and Rose, an educator with the Renton Educators Association.
During her address, Joan Wright expressed her outrage at the violence faced by protestors in recent weeks: “Last month we witnessed something that should outrage every queer person in this city; Seattle police brutally attacked protestors who stood up against a far-right anti-queer group.”
Wright boldly condemned local officials, stating, “Mayor Bruce Harrell and the majority of the city council, all of them Democrats, are responsible for this. Instead of fully condemning this far-right group and standing with trans and queer people, the mayor and the Democratic party political establishment decided to blame the protestors.”
The event was momentarily disrupted as a frequent counter-protester, whom organizers deemed a nuisance, arrived on the scene. This confrontation necessitated police intervention when the counter-protester was accused of grabbing a protester’s backpack.
As the rally progressed, the collective spirit of solidarity, alongside the backdrop of recent conflicts, highlighted the growing urgency for trans rights and the need for protective measures within these activism spaces.
The events at Cal Anderson Park underscored not only the local community’s resolve in the fight for trans rights but also the broader tensions prevailing between various activist groups, local authorities, and ongoing societal challenges.
image source from：assignedmedia
