Right Wingers Move Aug. 30 Event Outside of Gayborhood After Negotiations With The City

The question of if the City would permit singer and right-wing provocateur Sean Feucht’s Aug. 30 “Revive in 25” event for Cal Anderson park in the heart of the gayborhood has weighed heavily on Seattle’s LGBT+ community. But after hours and hours of negotiations over the last week, the City and the Christofascist organizers agreed to move their event to Gaswork’s park in Fremont, where queer people may also live, work, and play.

As The Burner reported last week, until Tuesday, the City had not formally decided where to permit Feucht’s event. LGBT non-profits and activists were bracing for the worst — a repeat of the #DontMessWithOurKids rally where out-of-town bigots took over Cal Anderson park, provoked the queer residents, and the cops brutalized and arrested those on the right side of what should be a settled civil rights issue. Can’t blame the gays for having little faith! The City doesn’t seem to care about how these events will impact any community except the business community. 

But then, sources told The Burner that Council Member Joy Hollingsworth steered the negotiations that successfully relocated the rally outside of the gayborhood, a location destined for maximum provocation. Hollingworth didn’t agree to an interview, but she released a joint statement with Mayor Bruce Harrell this afternoon:

“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. 

After that conversation, the organizers have agreed to move their event to Gas Works Park. We are grateful that they were receptive to our recommendation.

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.” 

While relocating the event aims to cool the temperature of the hate rally, it may just take the heat off the City. Feucht followers still plan to march through Cal Anderson before heading to Gasworks for the main event. And besides, anywhere fascists set up in our City, anti-fascists are sure to follow. But hey, at least now the fallout discourse can focus on the City’s responsibility to prevent and punish cops for queer-bashing instead of this boring ass permitting shit.