Re: “23 arrests at heated ‘Fascist Family Values’ protest in Seattle” (May 24, Local News):
All people are beloved creations of God, equally welcome into loving relationship with Jesus Christ — a core message of Christianity, but not the one preached at Cal Anderson Park on May 24.
I am a Christian pastor in the United Church of Christ. On May 24, I stood in Cal Anderson Park with about 50 Christian pastors and laity in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. We were part of the counterprotest of an out-of-state group that portrays Christianity as anti-gay and anti-trans and provocatively chose to amplify its exclusionary message on stage in the heart of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community. Their call to “raise an army” to advance their agenda both disgusts and frightens me.
The counter-protests at Cal Anderson and the subsequent statement by Mayor Bruce Harrell were not anti-Christian and should not be framed as such. When our group walked toward the barriers erected by law enforcement with our signs of inclusive Christian love, the protesters immediately parted and welcomed us to take the front row of the counterprotest. Many thanked us for our presence and inclusive Christian messages.
Christ told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and that we are all beloved children of God. We agree.
The Rev. Andrew Conley-Holcom, Tacoma
