JASON RANTZ

Rantz: Seattle councilmember defends ‘kill yourselves’ threat to cops at protest

Jun 7, 2020, 5:21 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2020, 11:00 am
Seattle councilmembers, teresa mosqueda, dan strauss, andrew lewis, lisa herbold, seattle protest, ...
Seattle Councilmembers at the protest in Capitol Hill pose for a group selfie. Their support helped create CHOP. (Councilmember Andrew Lewis, Twitter)
(Councilmember Andrew Lewis, Twitter)

At this weekend’s Seattle protest, which turned violent at times, a Seattle city councilmember said the anger from a man threatening to murder cops was justified.

On Saturday night, in what appeared to be a coordinated effort, several local far-left politicians descended upon Capitol Hill to taunt the Seattle Police Department’s effort to maintain peace.

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda live-streamed portions of the protest and when she heard violent rhetoric from those around her, she didn’t just downplay them — she claimed their anger is valid.

‘Kill yourselves’ says activist to Seattle cops during protest

On Facebook, Mosqueda posted live video near the front of the Seattle protest, just feet away from both a barricade and officers trying to protect the East Precinct from vandalism or worse. As she interviewed various activists, a man with a bullhorn shouted odious messages at the police.

“SPD, I need you to do me a favor. Take your guns, put them onto your chins, and pull the trigger,” the man yelled. “I need you to kill yourselves. That’s your only redemption. Go ahead, save us the trouble of tearing you apart and *****ing kill yourselves. Did I stutter? I said ‘k-k-k-kill yourselves.”

As this madman shouted, Mosqueda looked at him but didn’t condemn the messaging.

“****ing kill yourselves. It’s the only chance you have left to do something good for the world and that’s remove yourself from it,” he shouted.

Mosqueda then had the audacity to support the message bull-horned over her.

“The anger that you hear is justified,” she said.

Telling cops to kill themselves before a threat to tear them apart is not justified. It’s a threat. It’s the kind of statement that if you targeted Mosqueda with, she’d call the same cops she’s currently criticizing.

While she was defending the anger, the man continued his attack on cops: “I need you to kill yourself.”

Moments later, Mosqueda spoke with King County Councilman Girmay Zahilay. While he claimed, “I’ve seen nothing but peaceful people out here,” the protester shouted, “You have declared war on the American people. We do not forgive, we do not forget. Expect us.”

This could have been a moment to call out the unhelpful, hateful, and divisive language while reminding people of the right to protest. Instead, they excuse or ignore the vitriol. Calling it out wouldn’t please their base of support. That’s a shame.

Watch the video here. Warning: graphic language.

‘Weapons of war’ used against protesters?

Mosqueda wasn’t the only Seattle City Councilmember at the protest. She was briefly joined by Councilmember Dan Strauss. He made an interesting observation not based in fact.

“The only thing that I would say is we have no place for weapons of war on our streets and against our residents,” he claimed.

It’s unclear what “weapons of war” he was referring to since the police didn’t use any. They didn’t even use tear gas, as activists had claimed.

Earlier in the evening, agitators threw rocks, bottles and incendiary devices at police, sending two to the hospital. He did not provide a comment on that at the time, instead calling the protesters peaceful.

Seattle protest lists demands and Mosqueda accepts them

The protesters have a list of demands, though it’s unclear which protesters are the organizers she backs. Earlier, one of the organizers of a previous march sided with police against agitators.

Earlier, on KIRO 7, a protester lambasted the fraudsters.

“There are people who are here who don’t give a damn about black people. And I don’t mean the police,” he said.

For a sitting councilmember to post these demands, as if they’re hostage takers, is bizarre. Mosqueda has the support on the Seattle Council to pass legislation of the demands coming from the protest. So why not just come up with their legislation? Instead, she shows up to taunt the police.

Listen to the Jason Rantz Show weekday afternoons from 3-6 p.m. on KTTH 770 AM (or HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow @JasonRantz on Twitter and Instagram or like me on Facebook

Jason Rantz on AM 770 KTTH
  • listen to jason rantzTune in to AM 770 KTTH weekdays at 3-6pm toThe Jason Rantz Show.

Jason Rantz Show

Jason Rantz

capital gains tax...
Frank Sumrall

Lawyer: WA Supreme Court has ‘convoluted opinion’ over capital gains tax

The capital gains tax, signed last year by Gov. Jay Inslee, went into effect in Jan. 2022, before it was stopped by lawsuits.
3 days ago
drive-by shootings...
Jason Rantz Show

Rise in drive-by shootings a concern for WA State Patrol

There have been a dozen drive-by shootings in King County so far this year. That's about one a week. Troopers do not know if they are connected.
4 days ago
alderwood middle school...
Frank Sumrall

14-year-old student allegedly attacks teacher at Alderwood Middle School

The incident resulted in the arrest and emergency expulsion of the student. The teacher is currently at the hospital.
4 days ago
English cop ticket...
Jason Rantz

Rantz: Dem bill cuts English reading and writing requirement for public safety jobs

If you think the Washington government bureaucracy is inefficient now, wait until you experience life under Senate Bill 5274.
5 days ago
Rent ordinance...
Frank Sumrall

Seattle lawyer on tenants: ‘Lot of reasons to reject somebody with criminal history’

The court ruled the ordinance violated landlords' First Amendment rights after a lawsuit was filed by the RHA of Washington.
5 days ago
pierce transit...
Jason Rantz

Rantz: Pierce Transit staff face discipline if they don’t use ‘ze,’ ‘they’ pronouns

One concerned employee told The Jason Rantz Show on KTTH that he found the memo, titled "Pronoun Use in the Workplace," troubling.
6 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Emergency Preparedness...

Prepare for the next disaster at the Emergency Preparedness Conference

Being prepared before the next emergency arrives is key to preserving businesses and organizations of many kinds.
SHIBA volunteer...

Volunteer to help people understand their Medicare options!

If you’re retired or getting ready to retire and looking for new ways to stay active, becoming a SHIBA volunteer could be for you!
safety from crime...

As crime increases, our safety measures must too

It's easy to be accused of fearmongering regarding crime, but Seattle residents might have good reason to be concerned for their safety.
Comcast Ready for Business Fund...
Ilona Lohrey | President and CEO, GSBA

GSBA is closing the disparity gap with Ready for Business Fund

GSBA, Comcast, and other partners are working to address disparities in access to financial resources with the Ready for Business fund.
SHIBA WA...

Medicare open enrollment is here and SHIBA can help!

The SHIBA program – part of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner – is ready to help with your Medicare open enrollment decisions.
Lake Washington Windows...

Choosing Best Windows for Your Home

Lake Washington Windows and Doors is a local window dealer offering the exclusive Leak Armor installation.
Rantz: Seattle councilmember defends ‘kill yourselves’ threat to cops at protest