SEATTLE — Four religious leaders and a faith-based organization have filed a federal lawsuit against Seattle officials, accusing the city of unlawfully suppressing their religious speech and assembly during a recent public event at Cal Anderson Park.

The plaintiffs, Russell Johnson, Jenny Donnelly, Her Voice Movement, Inc. (doing business as Tetelestai Ministries), Robert Donnelly and Ross Johnston, claim city officials denied permits, shut down their event and subjected them to a “heckler’s veto” — allowing hostile objectors to disrupt their gathering while the city blamed the group for ensuing violence.

The lawsuit, filed in the Western District of Washington, alleges violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments, including discrimination against religious viewpoints and unconstitutional prior restraint. The group contends they were targeted for expressing Christian views not aligning with affirmation of LGBTQIA+ identities, while similar events promoting other viewpoints were allowed to proceed.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that “violent agitators threw urine filled balloons” at them and “engaged in obscene behavior and masturbation in front of innocent minor children in attendance.” 

According to the complaint, Mayor Bruce Harrell and other city leaders publicly condemned the organizers’ views and incited additional criticism through statements from faith leaders. In the lawsuit, MayDay cited a quote from Harrell’s press release on the event.

“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,” the statement read. 

Plaintiffs argue these actions inflicted irreparable harm on their rights to free speech, religious expression and peaceable assembly. They also claim Seattle’s permitting process lacks neutral criteria, enabling officials to deny or revoke permits based on speech content and public reaction, rather than objective safety concerns. 

In a statement to KING 5, the city said it does not decline or modify permits on viewpoints. 

“We have frequently and consistently shared the City’s process that allows for people of all viewpoints to express their First Amendment rights in public spaces,” Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office said in a statement.  “While we cannot comment on active litigation, with respect to those rights, Mayor Harrell and Councilmember Hollingsworth worked with organizers regarding a similar event in August, recognizing the City cannot and does not decline or modify permits or locations based on anticipated speech or viewpoint.”

The case seeks damages as well as injunctive relief to prevent future enforcement of the city’s permitting policies in a manner they allege is unconstitutional. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs cite repeated attempts to work with city departments, including communications with officials from Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Office of Economic Development, as evidence that officials discriminated against the group throughout the process.

The lawsuit demands a jury trial, damages and court enforcement of any orders issued in the case, highlighting the ongoing debate over the balance between religious freedom and public safety in managing events on city property.