The city says the August 30th fundamentalist Christian rally planned for Cal Anderson Park will be moved to Gas Works

Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell and Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) released the following statement after Seattle Parks and Recreation issued a park use permit for a religious concert event at Gas Works Park:

“According to the law, the City cannot deny or unilaterally relocate permits for public spaces based on the content of the speech or the impacts of that speech on the community. Recognizing that Cal Anderson Park is an important gathering space for our LGBTQ+ residents and receiving their feedback on the event location, we worked with the organizers to suggest alternative park locations.

In the city’s statement, Mayor Bruce Harrell and District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth explained the move saying the rally organizers agreed to move their event to Gas Works Park. “We are grateful that they were receptive to our recommendation,” the joint statement reads.

“Everyone has a First Amendment right to make their voices heard, regardless of content or belief. We are focused on facilitating that right of expression for everyone in our city – while also prioritizing safety,” the statement concludes.

The agreement may end many concerns about allowing the anti-trans and reproductive rights church groups a permitted gathering in this center of the city’s queer communities and history but in many ways only moves the problem.

CHS reported here earlier this month as the mayor’s office leaned on technicalities as it insisted a permit had not yet been issued for the rally.

The August 30th “Revive in 25” rally is being organized by anti-LGBTQ religious activist Sean Feucht.

“Join Let Us Worship for Revive in 25 on August 30th at Cal Anderson Park in Seattle Cal Anderson Park,” one social media promotion read.

Following the first rally and police clashes in May, CHS reported on claims from organizers that they were already planning for another Cal Anderson rally late this summer.

UPDATE: However City Hall is portraying the agreement, the Revive in 25 groups seem hellbent on raising a fuss on Capitol Hill and are planning a “Jesus March” to start at 3:30 PM on the north end of Cal Anderson Park the afternoon of the 30th. The march won’t go very far with plans for participants to circle through Pike/Pine and back into Cal Anderson Park:

Corner of E Denny Way & Nagle PL is the starting point, March to Broadway then traverse down to E Pike St and take a right. Follow E Pike St to 11th Ave. Take a left on 11th Ave and march back to Water Works (1635 11th Ave Seattle, WA 98122) to end the march.

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