FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Theresa Brock
Email: marketing@hervoicemvmt.com
Timeline and Permit Details For Christian Event At Cal Anderson Park
[Seattle, WA, May 27] - On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Mayday USA tour held a stop in Seattle, Washington, at Cal Anderson Park. This park was not the first or even the second location that event organizers sought a permit for, but the Seattle Special Events Office suggested it as a suitable alternative. For the sake of transparency, the organizers of Mayday USA are releasing a full timeline of their interaction with the various permitting agencies in Seattle.
Communication with Seattle Special Events Office
February 5: application submitted for Pike Place permit
February 5: response from city saying they were reviewing the request
February 11: second response from city saying they were reviewing the request
February 26: permit denied for Pike Place
February 26: organizers appealed the denial
March 4: organizers followed up on appeal of denial.
March 5: permit denied for Pike Place
March 7: organizers submitted second appeal for Pike Place
March 7: permit denied again. Special Events Office suggested Westlake Park, Occidental Square Park, Cal Anderson or South Lake Union Park
March 11, 12, & 13: organizers submitted third and final appeals for Pike Place
March 14: final permit denial for Pike Place
Communication Regarding Red Square at University of Washington
March 26: asked permit liaison to apply for Red Square at University of Washington
March 26-31: communication with permit liaison about Red Square
March 31: permit liaison informed organizers that Red Square was likely not viable
April 8: final conversation about Red Square, it was determined to not be a viable option
Communication with Seattle Parks and Recreation
March 31: application submitted for Cal Anderson Park permit
April 9: city sent request for payment and COI for Cal Anderson.
May 7: permit payment sent
May 14: COI approved
May 20: permit issued
May 21: organizers reached out to Seattle Parks and Recreation regarding concerns about the planned counter-protests, stating “Our goal is to ensure that our event remains safe, organized, and in compliance with city regulations, and we would greatly appreciate any guidance or support the city can provide...” and asking for protocols, contacts, guidelines, and best practices for the situation. Seattle Parks and Recreation never responded to this email.
Communication with Seattle Police Department, Police Outreach Engagement Team (POET)
May 21: the Police Outreach Engagement Team reached out to permit liaison
May 22: permit liaison connected organizers with the POET team via phone. They expressed concern that the city had not informed them of this event sooner, allowing them to better prepare and support it, as well as a desire to help create a peaceful event. They asked organizers to consider Westlake Park due to a concern that the production truck might not fit at Cal Anderson Park, which proved to be unfounded. The Seattle Police Department never communicated a threat of violence or that this park would be a dangerous location. Organizers communicated with the Seattle Police Department there was no way to accommodate a location change less than 48 hours before the event setup was scheduled to begin.
On the day of the event, Mayday USA organizers chose to set up a specific area within their allotted, permitted space for protesters to exercise their First Amendment rights without interference. Unfortunately, the protesters chose to become violent, and the Seattle Police Department was compelled to intervene.
The organizers of Mayday USA hope that this information will provide clarity on the permitting process that preceded this event. Even so, organizers stand strong on the First and Fourteenth Amendments, which grant everyone the freedom of speech, religion, and peaceful assembly and prohibit the state and local governments from impinging on these rights. There is no merit for violence or the prohibition of future religious activities at Cal Anderson Park, or anywhere else in Seattle, as implied by Mayor Bruce Harrell.
Mayday USA organizers Jenny Donnelly (Her Voice MVMT) and Ross Johnston (Ross Johnston Ministries) welcome the opportunity to provide comment.
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#DontMessWithOurKids is a grassroots movement that refuses to stand idly by while the children of our nation are indoctrinated by a liberal, political, and sexual agenda that seeks to destroy their God-given identities. We believe we must freely exercise our constitutional rights as Americans as we stand boldly for truth, justice, and righteousness in the public square.
[Note to Editors: High-resolution images and additional materials are available upon request.]