A far-right Christian rally in Seattle's Cal Anderson Park ended violently, resulting in 23 arrests as counterprotesters rallied against anti-trans and anti-abortion sentiments. The event, part of Mayday USA's #DontMessWithOurKids tour, was marked by confrontations between police and protesters, with officers using pepper spray amidst escalating tensions. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell condemned the rally as provocative and opposing to the city's values. The area historically known for LGBTQ+ activism witnessed music, speeches, and a defense of trans youth and reproductive rights from advocates who gathered nearby.
According to the Seattle Police Department's official blotter, officers initially responded around 1:30 p.m. PDT after witnessing protesters throwing objects. Police reported being assaulted while making arrests and deployed pepper spray during further confrontations.
Local blog Capitol Hill Seattle, which closely covers neighborhood developments, reports that tensions escalated when a line of bike officers advanced on the crowd using their bicycles and batons.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell responded after the chaos with a statement Saturday evening, saying the rally was held "to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs inherently opposed to our city's values."
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