8 arrested as protesters clash again, this time near City Hall, following Cal Anderson rally that turned violent

Eight people have been arrested at what police have called a “First Amendment event” outside City Hall Tuesday. Multiple protesters were arrested for alleged assault.

This is at least the 6th arrest. Not sure what happened but it looked like the mob was harassing an attendee trying to leave. pic.twitter.com/tlbOZ3mHSh

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 28, 2025

Protesters were arrested throughout the day during the hours-long event.

A fifth arrest. pic.twitter.com/PODfHArTyr

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 28, 2025

Chaos steadily escalated as opposing protest groups clashed at the scene.

As the rally starts to wrap down, it’s getting more tense. And the left wing extremists are going to making it hard for the rally goers to disperse. pic.twitter.com/AaiSLYa8zG

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 28, 2025

Police closed streets and were redirecting traffic near the area.

Protests continue at Seattle City Hall after weekend violence in Cal Anderson Park. pic.twitter.com/6RjEDoyrLh

— KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM🎙 (@KIRONewsradio) May 27, 2025

Sandra Simmons told KIRO Newsradio why she showed up for the event.

“God drew me here,” Simmons said. “He just wanted me to pray, and he just wanted me to talk to people.”

Simmons called for unity amid the growing tension.

“You see how they separate us with these gates. They want us against each other,” she said. “But we have to unite. You see, we have to get this right. It’s about love.”

Seattle braces for protest clash

The city braced for the protest and a possible counterprotest after a Christian group’s rally at Cal Anderson Park Saturday turned violent.

Fourth Avenue was shut down from Jefferson to Cherry Street, and James Street, a popular thoroughfare, was shut down from 3rd Avenue to 5th, as protesters gathered in the vicinity.

More video from this afternoon’s protests in Seattle. pic.twitter.com/uoXYWWclgS

— KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM🎙 (@KIRONewsradio) May 27, 2025

Locals were asked to avoid the area if possible, as the shutdown heavily affected car and bus traffic, snarling traffic throughout the area until Tuesday night.

Pastor calls for mayor’s resignation

Russell Johnson, the lead pastor at Pursuit NW, sparked the protest, demanding Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell resign after the disruption in Cal Anderson Park last weekend.

At the request of John Curley, host of “The John Curley Show” on KIRO Newsradio, Johnson said a prayer for Harrell: “God help Mayor Bruce Harrell open the eyes of his understanding to see what he cannot see and hear what he cannot hear, and in doing so. May he have a Saul to Paul conversion where scales fall from his eyes, he’s introduced to the person of Jesus Christ. He is born again, sins repented of, made new. By your Grace and your blood alone in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.”

Counterprotesters disrupt Christian group’s rally

Nearly two dozen counterprotesters were arrested for assault and obstruction after they allegedly stormed the Christian group’s rally over the weekend.

On Fire Ministries, a religious organization, held a rally meant for people to stand “together for Biblical truth and values” and to fight back against the National Education Association’s attempts to indoctrinate children in the ways of LGBTQ+, social justice, and other liberal efforts. This fight has been coined as #dontmesswithourkids.

Participants reportedly planned the event to condemn sex trafficking and abortion, and to defend the “sanctity of the nuclear family.”

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell speaks out after arrests

Harrell called Seattle “a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities” that “stands with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice,” when speaking after the arrests at Cal Anderson Park.

“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,” Harrell said after the arrests.

He cited that anarchists joined the counterprotesters, which resulted in the violent disruption. He said the event organizers shut down the event early after being asked to do so.

“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,” Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell said in a statement Saturday.

Alliance Defending Freedom considers suing city

Now, Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is considering legal action against Harrell and other city officials.

“Alliance Defending Freedom is evaluating legal action against @MayorofSeattle and @CityofSeattle officials following the violent disruption of the MayDay USA worship event,” the group said in a statement on X. “Federal and state laws protect free speech and religious freedom for all, regardless of their views.”

ADF attorneys argue that the city failed in its constitutional duty to protect those exercising their First Amendment rights.

“City officials must not permit violent mobs to threaten, harass, or assault individuals exercising these rights,” the statement continued. “The City has a legal obligation to ensure the safety and rights of all citizens. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees people of faith equal protection to express their views without fear of violence or harassment.”

ADF also said it will monitor the city’s response at the upcoming “Rattle in Seattle” rally, where tensions are again expected between activists and religious groups. Tuesday’s rally, hosted by Russell Johnson and Pursuit NW, is set to start at 5 p.m. at the front steps of City Hall.

Contributing: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio; Julia Dallas and Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest; Jason Rantz, KTTH

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