Internal Emails Allege Seattle Mayor Harrell's Attempt to Discredit Evangelical Protesters

Newly revealed internal emails suggest the administration of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell leveraged progressive church leaders in an effort to discredit evangelical Christians who held a worship event at Cal Anderson Park earlier this year. The revelation, shared by journalist Jonathan Choe on social media, indicates a coordinated strategy, though Choe added, "It didn’t work."

The controversy stems from a May 24, 2025, rally organized by Mayday USA at Cal Anderson Park, a historically LGBTQ+ neighborhood. The event, which organizers described as a peaceful gathering with free services, quickly drew counter-protesters. Mayor Harrell issued a statement that day, labeling it a "far-right rally" intended to "provoke a reaction" and noting that "anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group," leading to 23 arrests amidst clashes.

Just days later, on May 27, the Mayor’s office released statements from 11 diverse Seattle Christian and faith leaders. These prominent figures, including Pastor Carey Anderson of First A.M.E. Church and Reverend Reginald Avant of Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church, condemned the "weaponization of Christianity" and "extremist views," aligning with the administration's narrative against the evangelical gathering. Pastor Anderson explicitly stated, "Those who seek to weaponize Christianity and preach extremist views reflect poorly on the church and the whole ecumenical and interfaith community."

Despite these efforts to shape public perception, the evangelical groups involved, including Pursuit Church and MayDay USA, responded with strong opposition, indicating the strategy's limited success. They swiftly threatened legal action against Mayor Harrell, alleging violations of their First Amendment rights and citing the "heckler's veto" doctrine. The situation also garnered national attention when FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino tweeted about investigating "allegations of targeted violence against religious groups," further complicating the city's position.

The ongoing tensions in Seattle are viewed by some experts, such as Matthew D. Taylor, a scholar of American Christianity, as consistent with a "Christian Nationalist playbook." This strategy often involves staging controversial events in high-profile locations to provoke reactions, which can then be framed as persecution. The "Revive in 25" event, planned for August 30th by Sean Feucht, another prominent figure in this movement, initially sought to return to Cal Anderson Park before being relocated, underscoring the continued presence of these dynamics in the city.