Report: SPD ignorance of ‘broader cultural and political context’ led to Cal Anderson counter-protest crackdown

The Seattle Office of Inspector General has released its report on last May’s Seattle Police Department crackdown on demonstrators against an anti-trans Christian group’s rally in Cal Anderson Park, saying SPD was ignorant “of the broader cultural and political context of the rally and location” in its heavy handed response to the counter demonstration.

The city-ordered review process was incomplete. CHS reported in December as the Office of Inspector General announced it suspended the review process over leaked information from the confidential meetings. “The SER panel process was cut short due to a violation of confidentiality by one community panelist, and panelists were unable to develop consensus contributing factors or recommendations,” the final report reads.

In its report, the OIG concluded that SPD leadership took and adversarial stance toward the counter demonstrators. “SPD panelists described the Department’s concern that the ‘antifa’ and ‘pro trans’ groups would attract ‘bad actors,’ which became a key factor in SPD planning,” the report reads.

Meanwhile, “SPD assumptions about the ‘church group’ prompted a low threat assessment,” according to the panel participants.

SER panels are typically comprised of a mix of police and community members. Six SPD representatives and six community representatives sat on the May 24th panel.

The report also includes documentation of the debate that ensued on the panel over bodycam video that revealed an officer pumping-up cops with a “here to fuck people up” pep speech in the lead-up to the crackdown. In the video, the officer says, “We’re going in this time with guns blazing and all our pieces in place.”

The video caused a stir on the panel and left SPD participants scrambling to explain:

23 protesters were arrested as police moved on the crowds in the park using bikes and pepper spray to take demonstrators into custody as the church rally continued.

The Saturday, May 24th Christian rally and concert ended as police moved on demonstrators protesting the event from On Fire Ministries, a Spokane-based religious group that has grown under Christian fundamentalist pastor and former state representative Matt Shea and is supported by anti-LGBTQ religious activist Sean Feucht.

No charges were filed against demonstrators arrested that day.

Seattle officials including then-Mayor Bruce Harrell and SPD Chief Shon Barnes promised a full review of the clash.

Released last week, the final report concludes factors including SPD’s LGBTQ+ liaison role being unfilled at the time, and “lack of information sharing between Seattle Parks and Recreation and other City departments delayed SPD awareness of the planned rally.”

Participants also complained the “the local FBI field office” had been contacted “with concerns regarding the rally” but agents reportedly did not share the information with SPD.

“SPD was unaware of the broader cultural and political context of the rally and location,” the report reads.

“The lack of effective outreach by SPD to other LGBTQ+ groups with prior knowledge of the rally limited SPD’s ability to prepare for potential tensions,” the report concludes.

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