Seattle Council adopts 'welcoming city' resolution after Cal Anderson Park clashes; public demands SPD review

Seattle City Council on May 27 adopted Resolution 32168, reaffirming Seattle as a welcoming city and committing the city to policies that protect immigrants, LGBTQ+ residents and other historically marginalized groups.

The measure, introduced by Council Member Andrew Rink and passed by a 9-0 roll-call vote, follows clashes at Cal Anderson Park after a May 24 event by an anti-LGBT group. Supporters of the resolution and numerous public commenters said the city's permitting decisions and recent crowd-management policy contributed to the injuries and arrests at the demonstration.

The resolution matters because it is a formal, unanimous statement from the council in the wake of an event that many speakers said caused physical harm and lasting trauma to Capitol Hill's LGBTQ+ community. The measure asks the city attorney to continue compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and requests consideration of a midyear budget amendment to add $300,000 to emerging needs aimed at supporting impacted populations.

Council Member Joy Hollingsworth, who described herself as "a daughter of the district" and a member of First AME Church, said the city "fell short of that basic obligation" to keep people safe and urged a commitment to peace and protection for vulnerable communities. Hollingsworth said she will "only lead with love" and asked colleagues to uphold the city's stated values.

Several people who attended the Cal Anderson events told the council that the Seattle Police Department's response was disproportionate. Gabriel Jones, who identified himself as a medic, told the council: "When I show up in this role, it is my job to ensure that everyone gets home safely in the night." He said he was tackled from behind while trying to treat people and later punched multiple times. Jones also told the council that medics treated about "30 people for injuries and pepper spray." Kylie Auld, a Capitol Hill resident, said the permit allowed hateful speech in a historically queer neighborhood and described the outcome as "totally preventable with a more conscientious attitude."

Other commenters demanded accountability for the decision to permit the event and for police actions. Marilyn Flynn said organizers should "be held accountable" and asked the council to identify "the person who approved this event" and hold them responsible. Howard Dale urged plaintiffs to include council members in lawsuits alleging excessive force, arguing that policy changes and votes to allow crowd-control weapons set the conditions for the weekend's escalation.

Council Member Rink said he witnessed "disproportionate use of force" and called for an independent investigation into SPD's actions and an after-action review by the Office of Inspector General. Rink noted the council had earlier approved a new crowd-management policy in a 6-3 vote and said that "chemical weapons are weapons" even when labeled "less lethal." He demanded "change" and "accountability."

The measure passed on a unanimous voice and roll-call vote. The formal vote recorded "Aye" from Council Members Kettle, Moore, Rink, Rivera, Sacca, Sullivan, Strauss, Hollingsworth and Council President Sarah Nelson. The resolution directs continued legal compliance and asks the executive to consider a budget response for emerging needs; it does not itself create a binding investigation or funding appropriation.

Council members who spoke emphasized both the city's commitment to free expression and the need to protect public safety. Several said they would sign the resolution and pursue follow-up oversight and operational reviews in committee. The council also reiterated that the city must balance protest permitting with the safety of historically vulnerable communities in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill.

Next steps cited by council members included committee-level follow-up, a requested after-action review by the Office of Inspector General, and possible budget consideration to fund immediate needs for affected communities. The council president and committee chairs said they would coordinate those follow-ups in upcoming committee hearings.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the council's public comment period and during floor debate on the resolution. The council adopted Resolution 32168 and the chair will sign it; further administrative or investigatory steps were discussed but not enacted as part of the resolution.