Despite calls from activists for cancellation, Christian worship rallies in Seattle proceeded without incident last weekend.
Sean Feucht, a Christian musician and conservative activist, has brought attention to the “Let Us Worship” movement, which opposes Covid-19 restrictions on religious gatherings. He held a concert at Gasworks Park on August 30th, a venue previously off-limits during the pandemic. “Being back in this spot, invited by the mayor, felt quite special,” Feucht recalled.
Approximately 200 protesters gathered near barricades, using kazoos and noise makers to disrupt the event. Feucht acknowledged the opposition but expressed pride in the Christian community’s resilience. “They’ve endured. The worshippers in the Pacific Northwest are built a little differently,” he remarked, stating that despite the challenges, it turned out to be an uplifting evening.
Feucht has grown accustomed to protests during these events, seeing them as an opportunity for ministry. “I’ve learned to love it. Sure, they’re screaming and blowing kazoos, but once they recognize we’ve been here before, they often listen,” he noted.
Critics on the left labeled his ministry as “hate,” but Feucht invited them to witness the gatherings firsthand. “If that’s what you think, come and see for yourself,” he said. Though some LGBTQ activists urged city officials to cancel the event, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell defended Feucht’s right to hold the rally, citing the First Amendment’s protections.
Feucht mentioned that city officials worked with his team to change the venue from Cal Anderson Park to Gasworks Park for added security, particularly after prior violence at a religious gathering in Seattle. “Seattle has its challenges, but we still have the right to worship and the freedom of speech that’s been part of this country for nearly 250 years,” he asserted.
Beyond Seattle, Feucht’s tour has faced considerable resistance across North America. Nine out of eleven Canadian cities that were set to allow his events canceled their plans. He expressed concern about growing hostility towards Christians. “I don’t think we have equal rights or the freedom of speech that we should,” he told reporters, but he remains committed to his tour. “We’re here to worship, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” he affirmed.
Feucht’s tour is scheduled to continue next in Washington, DC, where former President Trump released a supportive video message. “Religious freedom is under attack. We are fighting back now more than ever,” Trump stated, emphasizing the need to protect that freedom.
