Clashes, Arrests at Mayday Rally in Seattle Park

A Christian rally by Mayday USA at Seattle's Cal Anderson Park in a prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood led to counterprotests and violent confrontations, resulting in 23 arrests mainly among counterprotesters for assault and obstruction. Seattle police reported that some counterprotesters threw objects at rally attendees and assaulted officers, prompting intervention. Mayor Bruce Harrell stated that anarchists had infiltrated the counterprotest, escalating violence and causing the event to end early. Most arrested individuals have since been released as the city considers possible charges, primarily for obstructing a public officer. The incident has reignited local debates about public event permitting, policing practices, and municipal responses to ideological clashes. City officials and police unions have criticized each other's handling of the situation, while both sides of the protest invoked free speech and community values.