The FBI on Tuesday announced an investigation into what it’s calling “targeted violence against religious groups” by LGBTQ+ protesters at an anti-trans rally in Seattle over the weekend.
The city issued a permit for the “Don’t Mess with Our Kids” rally organized by Mayday USA, a fundamentalist anti-trans organization, at Cal Anderson Park in the heart of the Seattle’s gayborhood on Capital Hill. Hundreds of Christian fundamentalist attendees were met by LGBTQ+ and allied counterprotesters.
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The rally sought to protect kids from “a liberal, political, and sexual agenda that seeks to destroy their God-given identities.”
Violence erupted after a counterprotester popped a balloon held by a Mayday attendee. Dozens of Seattle cops on bikes swooped in, setting off a melee that resulted in 23 arrests.
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Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell issued a statement later that evening, saying that Mayday USA intentionally provoked Seattleites by choosing Cal Anderson Park for their event.
Harrell characterized the Capitol Hill event as meant “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.”
“When the humanity of trans people and those who have been historically marginalized is questioned, we triumph by demonstrating our values through our words and peaceful protest – we lose our voice when this is disrupted by violence, chaos, and confusion.”
“Anarchists infiltrated the counterprotesters’ group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did.”
Mayday USA spokesperson Pastor Folake Kellogg told the Seattle Times the group was not trying to provoke anything with the rally’s location and that the city had actually rejected its permit request for a different park near Pike Place Market before they ended up at Cal Anderson Park.
In response to the controversy, Mayday USA announced a second rally called the “Rattle in Seattle” on Tuesday evening on the steps of City Hall, where they demanded that Mayor Harrell redact his statement, apologize, or resign.
The second rally was also met with counterprotesters, who positioned themselves around a perimeter of police barricades. But Seattle police allowed Mayday USA members into the thick of where the counterprotesters were, Seattle Gay News reports.
Counterprotesters called the action a provocation, and when they verbally objected, police intervened, leading to violent clashes. Eight people were arrested on unknown charges.
The FBI’s announcement came during Tuesday’s rally, where a Mayday organizer announced it from the stage.
“We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert,” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino posted to X, referring to Saturday’s event. “Freedom of religion isn’t a suggestion.”
We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert.
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) May 28, 2025
Freedom of religion isn’t a suggestion.
The FBI’s statement coincides with an investigation launched by Mayor Harrell of both events. Harrell himself is also now a target of recrimination over how the Seattle government handled permitting Saturday’s rally, along with the violent police response.
“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.
The mayor’s primary job is to keep people safe, and that means taking action to prevent dangerous situations & violence before it starts. A fundamentalist, anti-trans “family values” protest never should have been permitted in the heart of Seattle’s historic LGBTQ neighborhood.
— Katie Wilson (@WilsonKatieB) May 26, 2025
Harrell said in a statement Wednesday that the city has received “no official notice” of an FBI investigation.
In another post coinciding with the FBI’s announcement, the White House Faith Office condemned Harrell’s response that blamed Mayday USA for the provocative rally.
“Public officials must protect the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith or religious beliefs,” the statement 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.”
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