Through the Static

By Hannah Saunders

Seattle’s leftist activism realm has undergone a slew of drama relating to the July 24, Erika Kirk “Make Heaven Crowded Again,” event and subsequent protests. For weeks, the Puget Sound Division of the American Party of Labor (PSAPL) had been calling for unity instead of splintered protests, even publicly inviting Capitol Hill Seattle Pride to collaborate on its protest. Instead, Capitol Hill Seattle Pride and Indivisible Eastside sought out collaboration with Kirkland officials and police, leading to several cancelled protests due to safety concerns.

“Our priority is always the safety of the working class and those who follow us in action, and at this time, we cannot give an adequate promise or delivery of protection from serious violence, both legal and physical, committed by the State or various fascist hired guns and agitators,” PSAPL said on July 23. “Despite PSAPL’s repeated calls for a united front in protesting, this event splintered into three different groups, sewing disunity and confusion. Additionally, Capitol Hill Pride collaborated with [the] Kirkland Police Department by sharing information and asking for their assistance.”

Last week, TtS reported on Indivisible Eastside and Capitol Hill Seattle Pride corresponding with Kirkland officials due to MAGA propagandist Jonathan Choe re-posting their protest flyer on social media and encouraging “every patriot” in the state to show up and “fight back,” and the recent marching of Patriot Front members through a Kirkland neighborhood. On July 19, Indivisible Eastside announced its protest cancellation.

“In talking with members of the directly impacted groups we have come to realize that the most effective method of dealing with this event is to ignore it,” Indivisible Eastside said. “We know this individual and their followers are looking to provoke conflict and use it as an attention-grabbing opportunity. We refuse to play into their narrative by engaging with them and potentially creating more airtime for their toxic discourse,” Indivisible Eastside said.

Capitol Hill Seattle Pride is still expected to hold a sign-waving event less than a half mile away from the Pursuit NW Church, where the Kirk event is taking place, from 3-6 p.m. The PSAPL said despite cancelling its own protest, it still strongly condemns Erika Kirk and TurningPoint USA (TPUSA).

“We also strongly condemn Capitol Hill Pride, whose traitorous actions directly benefit the fascist cause. Collaborating with and mobilizing the police to any protest, especially given the brutality enacted by Kirkland Police Department and other nearby PDs in the past, is objectively an incident of violence against demonstrators exercising and fighting for their rights,” PSAPL said.

One of the endorsing organizations for PSAPL’s cancelled protest is the Seattle Revolutionary Socialists (SRS), who plan to turn out to the Pursuit NW Church in Kirkland at 5:30 to protest. On behalf of the SRS, a member told TtS that it is their duty to protest Kirk and TPUSA’s hatred towards immigrant, Black, Arab, and LGBTQ+ workers.

“Knowing the horrors that fascism can lead to, and the atrocities already unfolding before us, we have no choice but [to] confront fascism with collective action wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head,” they said.

SRS is encouraging others to help them confront fascism by taking to the streets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Organizations seeking to become involved are encouraged to join and reach out to Seattle.rev.soc@gmail.com.

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