How the FBI came to investigate Seattle protests
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The FBI is scrutinizing what happened at dueling Seattle protests over the weekend, while some locals are questioning why the city permitted a Christian group with anti-trans views to hold a rally in the city's historically LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
Why it matters: The FBI says it is investigating "allegations of targeted violence against religious groups" in Seattle after a conservative demonstration drew counterprotesters, leading to clashes with police and 23 arrests.
Catch up quick: Following that initial protest, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a written statement saying the conservative group that organized Saturday's "far-right rally," Mayday USA, purposefully chose the location at Capitol Hill's Cal Anderson Park "to provoke a reaction."
- That caused the group's leaders to plan a second protest outside Seattle City Hall on Tuesday, accusing the mayor of unfairly blaming them for violence committed by others.
- Members of the Christian group demanded that the mayor either apologize or resign.
What they're saying: "Freedom of religion isn't a suggestion," FBI deputy director Dan Bongino posted on X on Tuesday while announcing the agency has asked its team "to fully investigate" the weekend's events in Seattle.
- Harrell said in an emailed statement shared with Axios Wednesday that the city has received "no official notice" of an FBI investigation. The FBI told Axios that it had no further comment.
In a separate X post on Tuesday, Paula White-Cain, senior adviser for the White House Faith Office, appeared to place some blame on Seattle city officials.
- "Public officials must protect the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith or religious beliefs," White-Cain's post read.
- "We urge the City of Seattle to uphold these rights at all faith-based events, safeguarding the ability of people of faith to gather and express their beliefs without fear of harassment or violence."
Friction point: Meanwhile, some Seattle politicians have criticized City Hall's decision to allow the conservative religious event to take place on Capitol Hill.
- "A fundamentalist, anti-trans 'family values' protest never should have been permitted in the heart of Seattle's historic LGBTQ neighborhood," mayoral candidate Katie Wilson, who is challenging Harrell in this year's election, wrote on X.
- City Councilmember Bob Kettle called issuing an event permit at that location "a mistake."
- "There's many parks, there's many locations that could have accommodated the group," Kettle said during an interview with KOMO on Tuesday. "Cal Anderson should not have been on that list."
Between the lines: The Mayday USA organizers originally applied to hold their May 24 event on Pike Street between First and Second avenues, according to the city.
- City officials denied that request, saying that space was too small for the expected crowd.
What's next: Harrell says he has directed the city parks department to review "all of the circumstances" of the Cal Anderson permit application "to understand whether there were legal location alternatives or other adjustments that could have been pursued."
- The police department will also "complete an after-action report" examining preparation and crowd management tactics, Harrell said.