All hell broke loose in Cal Anderson Park on May 24 when officers from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) rushed Capitol Hill residents from all sides to tackle and arrest those who popped a balloon set up at an event hosted by the pro–nuclear family and anti-Trans Christian fundamentalist group, Mayday USA. The severe and excessive use of force against Trans and Queer people and their allies, who were speaking out in support of LGBTQIA+ rights, is now being investigated independently by the Seattle Office of Inspector General for Public Safety (OIG).
"This situation has generated significant community concern and outcry, given the broad implications for protection of both free speech and vulnerable communities in Seattle," the OIG stated in a June 6 press release.
May 24 event
Mayday USA hosted a "haircuts for kids" event as part of its #DontMessWithOurKids movement in Cal Anderson Park, named after Washington's first openly Gay state legislator, in the heart of Seattle's historically Queer neighborhood. Mayday USA organizers previously told the SGN that they were only there to raise awareness about the human trafficking of children.
"Our nation is in a crisis – families are being ripped apart at the seams by an agenda determined to sexualize our kids," states the #DontMessWithOurKids page on the Her Voice Movement (HVM) website. "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Mama bears across the nation are rising up to join the #dontmesswithourkids movement and pray, fast, and stand for their families."
Eric Moss, communications director of Seattle's Office of Economic Development, previously told the SGN that Mayday USA was denied a special event permit for First and Pike Street by the Special Events Office. Russell Johnston, another Mayday USA figure, released emails from the city's special events program manager on social media, which said that Pike Street was unable to handle the event and suggested Cal Anderson Park and South Lake Union Park. Moss said the group reached out to Seattle Parks and Rec for permits and requested Cal Anderson Park.
Protesters shouted "Fuck you!," among other things. Police were facing them with their backs turned to the Mayday USA group during most of the event. The SGN recorded and obtained footage of Officer Brian Muoio (#8381) running into a group of protesters, tackling two who were holding signs. He then pepper-sprayed them in the face while they were on the ground in submissive positions, then sprayed it out into the crowd of protesters. He dragged over barricades one who he originally tackled.
While under arrest, the SGN's Audrey Oscarson recorded an interview with a man who was walking through the area to get his haircut: an officer ran into him and four toppled him. No one told him why he was under arrest, and he said a female cop kneeled on his neck. He described this as a "sick experience" and was transported to the hospital.
Officers under investigation
Cops from the East Precinct and neighboring precincts who rushed into Capitol Hill on May 24 will be facing scrutiny from the OIG. The office was created to hold accountable the SPD and the Office of Police Accountability (OPA), which reviews officer misconduct – but it's partially made up of SPD sergeants. Lisa A. Judge, the city's first inspector general, has been serving since 2018.
"OIG will assess SPD crowd management tactics, including officer interactions and use of force, in keeping with our systemic oversight responsibilities, as well as obligations under the recently adopted less lethal weapons ordinance," according to the press release, which also said the review will analyze "broader City functions that may have contributed to the negative outcomes."
The SPD and OPA will undergo a systemic and auditing examination. Part of what the OIG does is evaluate the OPA's complaint handling process, as well as investigate accusations of OPA staff misconduct. The OIG also collaborates with the police to better its practices and policies.
"The Inspector General has unfettered access to SPD operations in order to perform her duties, including being on scene at the investigation of serious uses of force by SPD and at administrative reviews of those incidents," according to the press release.
In the release, the OIG issued a statement from Mayor Bruce Harrell, who noted the importance of the constant assessment of work and how he's looking forward to SPD Chief Shon Barnes collaborating with Judge.
"I strongly support this sentinel event review, because it will deliver a comprehensive review of the event, collect important feedback, and provide expert analysis that can be used to guide our police department's response to events in the future," Mayor Harrell said.
The mayor issued a statement in strongsupport of the LGBTQIA+ community on the evening of May 24 but stated that "anarchists infiltrated the counterprotesters group and inspired violence, prompting the SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did."
He said the SPD would submit a report, to include crowd management drills, preparedness, and reviews of arrests and citations.
Update from prosecutors
In total, 23 people were arrested that day, including one minor who was released shortly after being cuffed. A May 29 update from the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) said that police referred one case but "that initial case referral did not include body-worn video or video from other sources." The office strives to obtain as much video content as possible as part of its work.
Misdemeanor referrals are sent to the Seattle City Attorney's Office, while felony referrals are brought to the KCPAO. Casey McNerthney, communications director at the KCPAO, told the SGN in a June 9 update that the SPD referred six people who were arrested at Cal Anderson Park to the office while they were out of custody.
"In one City Hall assault case referral and in at least two of the assault referrals from Cal Anderson Park, police said there were no injuries. I say 'at least' because two of the cases were sent Friday afternoon [June 6] and are expected to be reviewed this week," McNerthney said.
Three out of the six case referrals have been through a first review, and McNerthney said prosecutors intend to request more information from SPD officers, like medical records and body worn video camera footage that has not been presented to the KCPAO.
"In two of the six cases, police said in their report that there were no injuries," McNerthney added. "In one of those, a person is accused of throwing a soda can and hitting an officer's leg. In the other, a person is accused of throwing an umbrella underhand at a lieutenant. If video is still outstanding in those cases, prosecutors plan to request it. The cases were referred by police as Assault in the Third Degree cases and will be reviewed in line with the filing standards."
According to the KCPAO's filing and disposition standards, among other conditions, "assault in the third degree shall be filed if the defendant":
Washington LGBTQ Commission statement
On June 3, the state's LGBTQ Commission released a statement about the events, calling for an independent investigation into police use of force and the permitting process at the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.
"A notoriously hateful group was permitted by the City of Seattle's Parks and Recreation Department to hold a rally focused on promoting anti-2SLGBTQIA+ ideology," according to the statement. "The rally was met by counterprotesters who showed up to stand in support of themselves and their 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings and community members.
"Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ mobilization and political violence has tripled since 2020 and continues to rise, according to ACLED [Armed Conflict Location and Event Data]. Public spaces and certainly those with such vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ history like Cal Anderson Park must remain safe for all Washingtonians – especially those whose identities are under attack."
The Commission emphasized the SPD's escalatory behavior and actions in its attempts to control the counterprotesters, which it said is worrisome and aims to intimidate Queer and Trans communities.
"What happened at Cal Anderson Park was a violent failure of the public. The Seattle Police Department chose to protect hate and punish those who showed up for community care," said commissioner Ebo Barton. "Pride began with people who were criminalized for defending their right to exist. That spirit continues today. I urge King County residents to demand real accountability, support grassroots safety efforts, and make it clear that there is no place for state-sanctioned violence against 2SLGBTQIA+ people."
The SGN will continue to provide updates. For more footage, visit @seattlegaynews_ on
Instagram and TikTok.
Support the Seattle Gay News: Celebrate 51 Years with Us!
As the third-oldest LGBTQIA+ newspaper in the United States, the Seattle Gay News (SGN) has been a vital independent source of news and entertainment for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest since 1974.
As we celebrate our 51st year, we need your support to continue our mission.
A monthly contribution will ensure that SGN remains a beacon of truth and a virtual gathering place for community dialogue.
Help us keep printing and providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices.
How you can donate!
Using this Link
Text "SGN" to 53-555
Or Scan the QR code below!
