Latest news with #CalAndersonPark
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tens of thousands march to Seattle Center, protesting in ‘No Kings' rally
Multiple protests have commenced in Seattle and surrounding areas Saturday, including one during the University of Washington's (UW) graduation. The 'No Kings' rallies are meant to run opposite of President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., according to Axios Seattle. Saturday is also the president's 79th birthday. The Cal Anderson Park protest began its march just after 1 p.m., heading into downtown Seattle. Tens of thousands marched down 5th Avenue, with no reports of property damage, according to the Seattle Police Department. It was over 1.5 miles of people. 'Any concerns for safety today?' KIRO radio reporter Scott Carty asked marching participants. 'No,' a couple from West Seattle responded. 'We want to show with a peaceful protest that this is who we are.' The Seattle Police Department (SPD) and other law enforcement agencies expected thousands of protesters stretching across Capitol Hill, University District, downtown Seattle, and other neighborhoods of the city. 'NO KINGS is a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from Trump and his allies,' event coordinators stated. In addition to the demonstrations' goal to end U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration, protesting in solidarity with the movements in Los Angeles, the protests will also focus on what they claim is rising authoritarianism under the Trump administration. The Cal Anderson protest is supported in part by Seattle Indivisible, a grassroots and all-volunteer organization working to create and secure progressive policies. 'In his ruthless pursuit of power, Donald Trump has launched an assault on the American people—destroying livelihoods, dismantling democratic institutions, terrorizing communities, and defying the rule of law,' Seattle Indivisble said in a statement ahead of Saturday's rally. 'He has weaponized our government to silence dissent, seeking to dominate Congress, the press, universities, states, cities, and anyone who refuses to submit to his authoritarian agenda. Now, he has ordered the military to crush protesters in Los Angeles and threatens Seattle—and any community that defies him—will be next.' Katie Garrow, the head of MLK Labor, Noah Purcell, Washington Solicitor General, Palmira Figueroa, a long-time immigrant rights advocate, and U.S. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal spoke at Cal Anderson Park. The protest at UW will also rally over the college's specific ties to Boeing and its response to a pro-Palestine campus protest. After gathering at 12 p.m., like the Cal Anderson Park protest, those at UW began to march just after 1:30 p.m. to downtown Seattle. KTTH stated that Antifa has shown up at the Cal Anderson Park 'No Kings' rally, while KIRO Newsradio saw light Antifa presence at the UW rally. The UW protest has been 'extremely peaceful,' according to KIRO reporter Jonah Oaklief. Similar protests are scheduled all across the state, including Everett, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver, and Spokane. A map tracking all the No Kings protests across the nation can be seen here. There are as many as 50-something protests set to occur in the Puget Sound region from Olympia to Bellingham. KIRO host John Curley made his way out to a 'No Kings' rally in Cle Elum to interview participants. The Seattle Police Department said its officers are not looking for confrontations with protesters. They will only engage when public safety is at risk. On the department's police blotter web page, SPD said it is deploying a 'Police Outreach and Engagement Team.' Officials said members of the team are specifically trained to speak with organizers and community members before protests, with a goal of facilitating peaceful protests—and not confrontation. The department said its officers prioritize low-profile tactics whenever possible, and will not interfere or ask a crowd to disperse unless there are immediate threats to the public's safety. Wednesday night, eight protesters were arrested by the Seattle Police Department during an event outside the federal building. The building was tagged with 'Abolish ICE,' and a dumpster fire broke out. Thousands gathered downtown, demanding an end to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids ordered by the Trump administration. Two Seattle Police Department (SPD) officers were injured during the clash with protesters. Last month, at least eight people were arrested at what police called a 'First Amendment event' outside Seattle City Hall. Chaos steadily escalated as opposing protest groups clashed at the scene. The event was spurred after a Christian group's rally at Cal Anderson Park earlier that week turned violent.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Seattle traffic to be impacted from upcoming protests
The Brief The Seattle Department of Transportation is warning of traffic disruptions due to protests on June 11 and June 14, starting at Cal Anderson Park. Residents and businesses in Downtown and Capitol Hill are advised to secure outdoor items and plan for possible street closures. SDOT will provide real-time traffic updates during the protests online. SEATTLE - The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is warning that the ICE OUT protest on Wednesday, June 11, and the No Kings protest on Saturday, June 14, will impact traffic. The ICE OUT protest will start at Cal Anderson Park at 7 p.m. If the rally turns into a march, SDOT expects it could go toward Westlake Park, the Courthouse, or the Federal Building downtown. The No Kings protest will start at Cal Anderson Park at 12 p.m. Protestors will then walk through Downtown on 4th Avenue until they reach the Seattle Center. During these demonstrations, some individuals may block streets or create disruptions. SDOT encourages you to take precautions and stay aware to help keep the protests safe and respectful. If you live in Downtown or Capitol Hill, SDOT recommends taking these precautions to secure your business job sites, sidewalk cafés, and other outdoor operations after business hours today and on Saturday: Secure Outdoor Items Remove or secure chairs, tables, umbrellas, signs, construction materials, tools, and anything else at risk of being moved or damaged. Ensure your permit areas are clear, and items are well-secured before leaving for the day. Plan Ahead for Possible Disruptions Be aware that unexpected traffic or street closures may occur throughout the day because the march route is unconfirmed. Keep vehicles and equipment away from Cal Anderson Park and likely routes to reduce the risk of inconvenience. Stay Alert Watch for increased foot traffic near Cal Anderson Park. Report vandalism or harmful behavior by calling 9-1-1. SDOT will be posting updates on the traffic during the protests on social media. The Source Information in this story came from the Seattle Department of Transportation and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. Anti-ICE protesters clash with police at Seattle Federal Building Home of Seattle rapper Macklemore invaded, nanny maced: police 2 dead after 'tragic' bus accident at Seattle retirement home WA deputies arrest teens for pistol-whipping boy, armed robberies Cyberattack hits supplier to Whole Foods and PCC; could impact store supplies To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
Fox News
28-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Seattle mayor accused of lying after blaming Christian rally for park violence
Organizers of the Christian rally that Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell blamed for a violent riot at a local park pushed back against his claims that they intentionally provoked outrage on Tuesday. After police reported multiple arrests at the MayDayUSA rally at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Harrell's office released a statement defending the LGBTQ community and protesters while criticizing the "far-right rally" for provoking the violent reaction. "Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice," the statement read. "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." Though Harrell's office suggested the rally was intentionally held at Cal Anderson Park to stir up controversy, pastor Russell Johnson, who helped to lead the event, said the location was suggested to them by the city. "The @MayorofSeattle caught in yet another lie. He said we intentionally chose Cal Anderson Park for our worship rally to 'provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are opposed to Seattle's values.' Oops. He must have forgot about the email HIS OFFICE sent us on March 7th denying our permit to gather at Pike Place and SUGGESTING we go to Cal Anderson Park instead," Johnson wrote on X. Johnson provided email screenshots showing that their initial location, Pike Place, was rejected for being unable to "successfully facilitate" the event. They also showed that Cal Anderson Park was suggested as an alternative option. Fellow preacher Ross Johnston also told Fox News Digital that their first location was rejected, and they then chose Cal Anderson Park after the city's suggestion. He condemned the mayor's statement for taking the protesters' side to "make things worse." "His reasoning, of course, is that our values inherently opposed the values of Seattle," Johnston said. "Now, when I hear that, my question is what values is he referring to? Is he referring to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights? Because I don't know if he knows this, but he's actually an elected politician in the United States of America. And in the 250-year history of the nation of America, though we might not all see eye-to-eye on every single matter, or even religion for that matter, we all do agree on having the same rights, right?" In a statement to Fox News Digital, Harrell's office confirmed that the rally's Pike Place location was rejected and that a city staffer "shared several parks that had potential availability." However, Harrell's press secretary, Callie Craighead, pointed out that Cal Anderson Park was the rally organizers' first choice after being given other options, providing Fox News Digital with a copy of a permit from March. Craighead also suggested the rally organizers "directly explained their provocative thinking" when choosing locations by citing a pre-rally video depicting Johnston describing their Pike Place location as "Antifa's headquarters" and "where thousands showed up for BLM." "Mayor Harrell remains steadfast in his denouncement of rhetoric from groups whose messages promote exclusion, intolerance, and undermine the dignity and rights of any community member—particularly those that are marginalized, like our LGBTQ+ community," Craighead said. She added, "As a Christian himself, the mayor is guided by the Christian values of love and justice, and his comments have specifically addressed ideologies that are in contrast to Seattle's commitment to being a welcoming city for all. Like any faith community, Christianity is not a monolith—and many Christians throughout Seattle do not hold the beliefs expressed by the organizers of the Mayday rally." In response to the mayor's original statement, Johnston and Johnson launched a protest rally outside Seattle City Hall on Tuesday, calling for his resignation. Johnston also emphasized that he "100%" condemned violence. "We want nobody to be arrested. We want nobody to be hurt or end up in the hospital. Absolutely not. We condone all violence 100% of the time," Johnston told Fox News Digital.
