More than 2K Christians gather in ‘worship protest’ after they are shut out of Seattle park
By: Leonardo Blair
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Worshipers in the streets of Seattle on Labor Day 2020 Facebook.Sean Feucht
More than 2,000 Christians gathered in the streets of Seattle in a “worship protest” Monday in defiance of public officials, who shuttered a local park to prevent them from participating in a prayer rally organized by missionary and political activist Sean Feucht .
The rally was supposed to take place in Gas Works Park by Seattle Parks and Recreation but officials abruptly announced the park would be closed all day Monday “due to anticipated crowding that could impact the public health of residents.”
Despite efforts to keep the rally from happening, Feucht announced on Facebook Tuesday that their worship session led to miracles and baptisms in a session that lasted about two hours .
“They shut the park, so we took the WORSHIP PROTEST to the streets!! The church of Seattle WILL NOT be silenced! Over 2000 took to the streets and GOD LIT THE PLACE UP with miracles, baptisms, salvations, racial reconciliation (with the police!) and HOPE!!” Feucht wrote.
Feucht, who has helped local pastors host 19 prayer rallies in defiance of coronavirus guidelines in 19 cities over the last eight weeks, told KIRO 7 that he believes the shuttering of the park to his gathering was “blatant discrimination.”
“If this was about COVID that would be one thing,” he said. “But this is about a blatant discrimination against Christians because the same questions were not asked and are still not asked about protesters.”
Park officials explained in a statement Friday that the decision was made to shutter the park because they anticipated that people would gather and flout social distancing protocol. Previous attendees at Feucht’s rallies reportedly did not wear masks or practice social distancing.
“Out of concerns for the safety of all those who visit Gas Works Park we have opted to close the entire park for the day,” park officials said.
One man who attended the rally but did not give his name to KIRO 7 agreed that Seattle officials were not being fair when they shuttered the park to the Christian group.
“The opposite side of it is the CHOP,” he said. “They open it up and let them do whatever they want but they don’t let Christians come here and peaceably assemble. I don’t understand the hypocrisy of that.”
Kelly Seiben told KOMO News that she believes the city was targeting Christians, and others like Joyce Seiben agreed.
“We were not there to cause any harm but just to lift the name of Jesus,” Seiben said.
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Two priests at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington D.C say that they and other clergy members were forcibly expelled from church grounds for President Donald Trump's photo op.
Yeah, I think that's a fair criticism. One crowd is as infectious as any other. They shouldn't be treated differently just because one has a religious agenda and the other has a political agenda officials approve of.
Does it matter if one "side" wears masks and one does not?
I would be interested in knowing if the government bothered to investigate the question. Again, it's fine to prohibit a group because they have demonstrated that they won't wear masks. But you need to make that inquiry for all groups. I doubt they have been doing that.
Those are most likely radical right wing provocateurs.
Every chance they are radical right wing provocateurs.
What a bunch of morons. Now they gather in herds.
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How does your light shine, in the halls of Shambala