Christian rally sues Seattle over discrimination
Liberty Counsel filed a federal lawsuit on Sept. 26, 2025 in the Western District of Washington on behalf of MayDay USA, alleging Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Police Chief Shon Barnes violated the group’s First and Fourteenth Amendment rights after a May worship rally at Cal Anderson Park was disrupted and 23 people were arrested. The complaint says the city denied the group’s initial permit for Pike Street, steered them to Cal Anderson Park, and then blamed the rally for provoking violence; Seattle Police reported items thrown by counter‑protesters and officer injuries requiring treatment.
Legal
Politics
đź“Ś Key Facts
- Plaintiffs: MayDay USA; counsel: Liberty Counsel
- Defendants: City of Seattle, Mayor Bruce Harrell, Police Chief Shon Barnes
- Court/Date: U.S. District Court, W.D. Wash.; filed Sept. 26, 2025
- Event details: May rally at Cal Anderson Park; 23 arrests; SPD reports assaults on officers
- Permit history: City denied Pike Street permit, referred organizers to Cal Anderson Park
- Mayor’s statement: Called rally provocative and said anarchists infiltrated counter‑protest