Organizers of a Christian rally that took place in Seattle in May are taking legal action against the city and its police department, asserting that they were unlawfully discriminated against because of their religious beliefs.
The lawsuit, filed on September 26 by the legal organization Liberty Counsel in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, names Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell, and Chief of Police Shon Barnes as defendants.
The complaint claims that the city’s actions violated the First and Fourteenth Amendment rights of the MayDay USA organizers, who describe their initiative as a nationwide religious revival tour aimed at reconnecting America with God.
During the May event at Cal Anderson Park, Seattle saw a significant disturbance with 23 arrests made after agitators disrupted the rally, throwing urine-filled water balloons at attendees.
According to the Seattle Police Department, some members of the opposing group threw projectiles at rally participants, and during the arrests, officers faced assaults leading to injuries requiring medical attention.
In the aftermath, Mayor Harrell publicly blamed the Christian rally for inciting violent reactions, stating that it was intended to provoke outrage against liberal values in a prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood of Seattle.
The mayor emphasized Seattle’s commitment to inclusivity, expressing solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community amid claims of ‘far-right’ provocation from the rally organizers.
However, the MayDay USA organizers vehemently refuted the mayor’s claims, asserting that they only chose Cal Anderson Park because the city had rejected their initial request for a permit at Pike Street, which is known for hosting demonstrations.
Emails from the organizers to the city’s Special Events Office reveal that city officials encouraged the group to consider alternative locations, ultimately approving the permit for Cal Anderson Park.
The lawsuit specifically criticizes Mayor Harrell for attributing blame to the rally for the ensuing violence, with the organizers contending that the city had a responsibility to protect them from the aggressive actions of the counter-protesters.
The legal complaint states, ‘Mayor Harrell’s callous statements are particularly disturbing, given the violent assaults Plaintiffs suffered at the hands of agitators from whom Seattle had the duty to protect Plaintiffs.’
Details from the suit elaborate on the severe disruption caused by violent counter-protesters, describing instances of physical threats, obscene behavior in front of minors, and damage to event equipment.
Despite the turmoil, the mayor’s office has maintained its position, previously asserting to various news outlets that Cal Anderson was one of several shared locations for the event.
Moreover, the mayor’s representatives stood by his remarks, citing a pastor’s pre-rally comments about Pike Place being viewed as ‘Antifa’s headquarters,’ which further fueled tensions surrounding the event.
The lawsuit alleges that actions taken by Seattle officials infringed upon the organizers’ constitutional rights, claiming that the city exercised ‘unconstitutionally unbridled discretion to target, censor, and unconstitutionally restrict’ their religious expression.
Named in the lawsuit are Russell Johnson, Jenny and Robert Donnelly, Ross Johnston, and Her Voice Movement, Inc., who are noted Christian ministers and rally organizers.
The plaintiffs seek a court order to prevent Seattle from enforcing its event-permitting rules in a manner that discriminates against religious or political speech.
They are also requesting the court to declare the city’s permitting framework unconstitutional and to award monetary damages for the alleged wrongs.
Both the Seattle Police Department and the city’s attorney’s office opted not to comment on the ongoing litigation.
In response to questions regarding the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Mayor Harrell reiterated that the city facilitates a process allowing all viewpoints to exercise their First Amendment rights in public areas.
While specifics regarding active litigation cannot be disclosed, Mayor Harrell and Seattle Councilmember Hollingsworth successfully collaborated with organizers for a subsequent event in August, recognizing the need for balanced oversight for all permitted activities.
Interestingly, this legal action comes on the heels of a separate Christian worship event held in Seattle that reportedly proceeded without significant issues in late August, despite activist calls for its cancellation.
Sean Feucht, a Christian musician associated with the ‘Let Us Worship’ movement, conducted his ‘Revive in ’25’ tour at Gas Works Park on August 30, encountering around 200 protesters who attempted to drown out the performance with kazoos and Pride flags, but resulting in no major confrontations.
With the dynamics surrounding such religious events in Seattle becoming increasingly contentious, the outcomes of both the lawsuit and future rallies may hold significant implications for the balance between free expression and public safety.
As the city of Seattle navigates these challenges, how it responds to legal claims regarding the treatment of religious groups will likely continue to shape discourse on First Amendment rights in the region.
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