West
FBI to probe claims of 'targeted violence' against religious groups after evangelicals' protest in Seattle
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said Tuesday he had requested an investigation into allegations of “targeted violence” against religious groups after an evangelical conservative group held a rally at Seattle City Hall in response to the mayor blaming Christians for igniting a weekend demonstration that turned violent.
“We have asked our team to fully investigate allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert. Freedom of religion isn’t a suggestion,” Bongino wrote on X.
The Christians’ “Rattle in Seattle” demonstration began at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the 4th Avenue steps of City Hall in downtown Seattle, where counter-protesters were also present, according to Fox 13.
A total of eight people were arrested for assault during dueling demonstrations as of 8 p.m., according to Seattle Police. No injuries were reported.
SEATTLE MAYOR BLAMES CHRISTIAN RALLY FOR INSPIRING VIOLENT ‘ANARCHISTS’ WHO ‘INFILTRATED’ COUNTER-PROTEST
The FBI is investigating allegations of “targeted violence” against religious groups, deputy director Dan Bongino said. (Reuters)
“Two opposing groups gathered along 4th Avenue. Streets around the dueling demonstrations were shut down for several hours, but reopened just before 8 p.m.,” police said in a press release.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Seattle Police for possible updated arrest totals.
Tuesday’s protest comes after a demonstration on Saturday at Cal Anderson Park during MayDayUSA’s “Don’t Mess With Our Kids” rally and a pro-LGBTQ counter-protest. Police made 23 arrests at that demonstration after violence broke out when event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged.
Mayor Bruce Harrell, a Democrat, released a statement after the weekend demonstration, blaming the Christian rally and infiltrating “anarchists” for the violence breaking out at the counter-protest.
BLUE STATE MAYOR PROPOSES CITY ORDINANCE TO STRENGTHEN TRANSGENDER CARE PROTECTIONS IN THE FACE OF TRUMP EOS
A total of eight people were arrested for assault during dueling demonstrations on Tuesday. (SDOT Traffic)
“Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice,” the mayor said at the time. “Today’s far-right rally was held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city’s values, in the heart of Seattle’s most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood.”
“Anarchists infiltrated the counter-protestors group and inspired violence, prompting SPD to make arrests and ask organizers to shut down the event early, which they did,” he continued.
The mayor also released respective statements on Tuesday from several of the city’s Christian and Jewish leaders siding with Harrell and condemning the weekend “Rattle in Seattle” protest.
“Mayday’s desire is to wrap their personal hate, fear, and bigotry in Christian speak. It won’t work,” Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter, a Baptist pastor, said in a statement. “The call of Jesus to his followers was to first love God and secondly to love our neighbors. In no way does the ideology or bad theology of this fringe group embody the love of God we are to exhibit. Those of us who actually follow the Jesus of the New Testament work to make the welcome tent bigger so that all God’s children regardless of sexuality or sexual identity are welcome at the table of love, justice, grace, and mercy.”
Mayor Bruce Harrell released a statement after the weekend demonstration, blaming a Christian rally and infiltrating “anarchists” for the violence breaking out at a counter-protest. (David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Organizers of the “Rattle in Seattle” protest took issue with the mayor’s statement, which they said showed religious bigotry and an attack on their First Amendment rights, and held the rally on Tuesday to protest his remarks.
“Following the MayDay USA worship event at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Mayor Harrell had the audacity to issue a press release blaming Christians for the premediated violence of Antifa which resulted in the hospitalization of Seattle Police Department personnel and the arrest of 23 Antifa agitators,” the organizers said in a statement. “Under Mayor Harrell’s leadership, the city of Seattle has continued its spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction while the First Amendment rights of citizens to peacefully assemble has been disregarded.”
Fox News Digital has out to the mayor’s office for comment.
Read the full article from Here
Oregon
Federal agents to investigate after explosives found in Oregon vehicle crash that killed 1
Federal agents are responding after explosives were found in a vehicle that crashed into the front entrance of an Oregon athletic club Saturday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said. A person was found dead inside the vehicle.
Portland Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle driving into the club’s front entrance at 2:49 a.m. local time, according to a news release from the department.
The vehicle caught fire after the crash, the department said. Once the blaze was brought under control, law enforcement found the deceased person inside. The Portland Police Department’s Explosive Disposal Unit responded after evidence of an explosive device was found in the vehicle.
The person has not been identified, and an investigation is ongoing, police said.
The club said in a statement that the facility will remain closed until further notice and that they are expecting a prolonged closure.
“Our team is cooperating fully with the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue, who are leading the investigation. Out of respect for that process, we will defer to them for additional details,” the statement said.
This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
Utah
POST-GAME: Mikhail Sergachev 5.1.26 | Utah Mammoth
NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup and the NHL Conference logos are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. All NHL logos and marks, including the foregoing, and NHL team logos and marks, as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © National Hockey League. All rights reserved.
Wyoming
Wyoming Downs, 307 Horse Racing invest $180M in new facilities in Laramie, Uinta counties
-
Oklahoma3 minutes agoFive Sooners Who Need to Have a Big Summer for Oklahoma
-
Oregon9 minutes agoFederal agents to investigate after explosives found in Oregon vehicle crash that killed 1
-
Rhode Island21 minutes ago50 kids who’ve survived cancer to walk the runway at annual RI gala
-
South-Carolina27 minutes agoCharleston Airshow canceled due to weather
-
South Dakota33 minutes agoSouth Dakota man gifted RV for his community impact
-
Tennessee39 minutes ago2027 Georgia defensive back commits to Tennessee football
-
Texas45 minutes agoNASCAR Texas qualifying live results, Cup Series sets starting lineup
-
Utah51 minutes agoPOST-GAME: Mikhail Sergachev 5.1.26 | Utah Mammoth