23 Arrested in Violent Clashes at Seattle LGBTQ+ Neighborhood Rally

In Seattle's LGBTQ+ neighborhood, Cal Anderson Park, a conservative Christian group called Mayday USA held a rally as part of its national "#DontMessWithOurKids" tour, which opposes reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights, sparking significant counterprotests and violent clashes. Both the Mayday USA rally and the counterprotest called "Keep Your Bibles Off Our Bodies" attracted about 500 participants each, with tensions escalating to the point where protestors threw objects at police, leading to 23 arrests, including a juvenile, and injuries to an officer. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell condemned the rally for deliberately provoking the LGBTQ+ community by choosing a historically queer neighborhood, calling for a review of the event's permit and emphasizing the city's values of inclusion and peaceful protest. Organizers of both sides expressed their views on free speech and responsibility, with Mayday USA stressing their right to speak and counterprotesters accusing city leadership of poor judgment in allowing the event's location. Police used riot gear and crowd-control measures, including pepper spray, to manage the disorder, and the mayor attributed some violence to anarchists infiltrating the counterprotesters. The incident highlights ongoing cultural and political conflicts in communities over LGBTQ+ rights and free expression.