Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has faced significant backlash after making claims that a Christian rally was responsible for the violence that erupted at Cal Anderson Park earlier this week. The event, organized by MayDay USA, saw multiple arrests and raised questions about the role of rhetoric in public gatherings. Harrell’s office quickly condemned the rally, labeling it a ‘far-right’ event that was intentionally held to provoke a reaction. However, the rally’s organizers have denied these claims, asserting that they were not the aggressors but rather the victims of a city that allegedly encouraged the event at the park to incite controversy.
The pastors leading the Christian rally, Russell Johnson and Ross Johnston, have released evidence suggesting that the city itself recommended Cal Anderson Park as the venue after initially rejecting their request for Pike Place. Johnson criticized the mayor for lying, citing emails that showed the city’s suggestion of the park and the rejection of their first location. He pointed out that Harrell’s office had previously denied them the permit for Pike Place, arguing that the area was unsuitable for their event. The pastors argue that the city’s suggestion led to the situation, not an intentional provocation by the rally organizers.
Harrell’s office has defended its position by referencing a pre-rally video where Johnston referred to Pike Place as ‘Antifa’s headquarters’ and ‘where thousands showed up for BLM.’ The mayor’s press secretary, Callie Craighead, maintained that the rally organizers had openly expressed their intent to provoke controversy. However, the pastors and their supporters have dismissed this as an overreach, emphasizing that the mayor is using this incident to further his political agenda. The situation has led to increased tensions, with the pastors planning a protest rally outside Seattle City Hall, calling for Harrell’s resignation.