Seattle, Washington. — Tensions escalated at the University of Washington on Sunday when a pro-Israel, pro-American rally was held near an anti-Israel camp near Red Square, which has long been a source of friction.
Pastor Russell Johnson, who helped organize the rally, explained why the rally was held despite concerns that violence could occur.
“Our main goal is to send a message of opposition in both local and national media that there are still decent people in the Pacific Northwest willing to defend the right of Jews to exist without fear of violence. Either that or retaliate,” Johnson told me before the rally.
Johnson said his group has no intention of violence.
“I don’t think that will happen. We come together to pray, to unite, to sing the national anthem, to wave the flag, to let the Seattle market know that there are still people here to show their support and support.” “To protect Israel and the Jewish people, we do not condone any violence or incitement, and we hope that the other side will exercise similar restraint,” he explained.
Johnson added that it is the group’s desire to roam peacefully through the occupied area, as this is a public space funded by taxpayers. But that wasn’t the case.
Before the start of the rally, the far-left group called on social media for people to come and “defend” the camp from crowds of Christians and Jews. Barricades provided by the University of Wisconsin were commandeered by anti-Israel occupiers. Campus police and Washington state troopers guarded the entrance to the camp closest to Red Square.
“The university…allowed Antifa to establish a semi-secondary police force guarding all entrances…”
Occupiers, including Antifa, barricaded other entrances to keep out anyone they believed was not on their side. The occupiers were ready for battle, carrying improvised shields made of poles and plastic trash cans, wearing hard-knuckled gloves and helmets.
Julio Rosas/Blaze Media
After Mr. Johnson’s rally ended, the crowd marched to the main gate of the camp, but were unable to enter because police blocked them from entering. The occupiers crossed the first barricade to gain access to the march, but were unable to cross the second barricade. The pro-Israel march stood shouting outside the encampment and then walked to Johnson’s church off campus.
Although there were no major acts of violence from either side, the school’s actions make it clear that the camps aren’t going away anytime soon. Finals week at UC won’t be until early June for him.
Johnson said the encampment brings back memories of the disastrous “Capitol Hill Borough.”
“The university…allowed Antifa to set up a quasi-secondary police force guarding all entrances. It’s the same mistake they made with the CHAZ/CHOP encampment, and clearly they haven’t learned from it. …The UW president has been basically silent outside of bearish press releases,” he said.
