Op Ed: SPD Protects Out-Of-Town Bigots Over Seattle Queers, I Should Know, They Pepper Sprayed Me While I Was Already On The Ground

This is a guest submission which presents one recollection of events on May 24

On Saturday, May 24th, I was at Cal Anderson park with a friend to peacefully protest an anti-trans religious group. When I arrived at the park, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) was already there geared up. It only took a few minutes for a line of police officers to form a blockade and forcefully push the counter protesters back to the edge of the park. Some police officers already had pepper spray on hand, others were carrying what looked like rubber bullet rifles, and the rest of them were lined up shoulder to shoulder facing us with long wooden night sticks as if they were expecting a fight.

It is clear that the police did not show up in good faith to protect all citizens from harm. It is also clear from the events that followed that they were acting like the private security for this hateful religious group.

During the protest, many of the transphobic bigots taunted and even assaulted counter protesters and the police did nothing to stop them. I personally witnessed one of the bigots, a white man wearing a camo t-shirt, walking along the barricade confronting and antagonizing the counter protesters. He ended up body slamming two young protestors to the ground in front of SPD and the police did nothing to stop him.

I pleaded with SPD to stop the man because he was provoking the protestors, but instead, SPD lined up again shoulder to shoulder and protected this man. A few minutes later, SPD attacked.

Later, I witnessed a police officer assault what appeared to be a teenager. He violently dragged them by their ankles across the barricade and as I objected to him manhandling a child he let go of their ankles and rushed toward me, knocking me to the ground with a blow to the chest while another officer pepper sprayed me when I was already on the ground.

This all begs the question: what is the purpose of SPD? What are our tax dollars being used for? 

In theory, SPD is supposed to serve the community, not oppress them. SPD is supposed to protect the first amendment rights of everyone, not choose a side. If SPD cannot do these two simple and fundamental things, what are they good for?

As we saw on Saturday, they do more harm to our most vulnerable communities than anything else. We deserve better.

I condemn the actions of SPD. I also ask our community and all our allies to remember this atrocity when we show up to vote and when we show up to protest. Even days later after the abuses are clearly visible all over social media we have yet to see most City Council members or the mayor issue a true condemnation of this disgusting police behavior. 

I ask that our elected leaders stand with the LGBTQ community, reprimand officers who use excessive force, and pay closer attention to the hate groups that try to incite violence in our communities. May Day USA is not welcome here.

I want to give thanks to the medic that helped me wash off the pepper spray from my eyes and took care of me while I recovered. I want to give thanks to the DSA member and those who waited with me and provided emotional support while the medic helped me.

When we show up together, we have the power to create positive change for our communities. We won’t stop fighting for our rights. And SPD will answer to us.