(The Lion) — The fight for religious freedom is taking center stage in Seattle, as Christians call for Mayor Bruce Harrell’s resignation and the FBI launches an investigation after the city blamed them for Antifa-fueled violence at a Christian rally Saturday.

The city ended the permitted “Don’t Mess With Our Kids” event at Cal Anderson Park early after protesters committed acts of violence, including assaulting police officers.

The event partnered with Do No Harm, an organization that opposes transgender surgeries for minors. Organizers had initially requested to hold the rally closer to Pike Place Market, but Harrell’s office suggested Cal Anderson Park, which is in a heavily LGBTQ neighborhood.

Protesters attempted to disrupt the Saturday event, which included worship music, speakers, prayer and giveaways.

All 23 people arrested were affiliated with Antifa or associated groups – not churches – but Harrell issued a statement calling it a “far-right rally … held here for this very reason – to provoke a reaction by promoting beliefs that are inherently opposed to our city’s values.”

Christians responded by holding a rally on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday, calling for Harrell to apologize or resign. The White House has taken notice, with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announcing an investigation into “targeted violence” against religious groups.

“Freedom of religion isn’t a suggestion,” Bongino posted alongside the announcement.

Russell Johnson, a pastor who helped organize both the park event and the City Hall protest, told his congregation Sunday that Harrell “owes Christians in Washington state an apology for his bigoted remarks after folks who were holding a peaceful worship event were violently assaulted for the high crime of expressing their deeply held religious beliefs.”

Johnson, who leads Pursuit Northwest Church, also said Harrell had instructed the Parks Department to deny permits for future public worship events.

That legally dubious order could be quickly tested, since the city already approved a permit earlier this month for a Let Us Worship event led by Sean Feucht at the same park on Aug. 30.

“Will mayor cancel it?” Feucht asked on X.

Johnson went on to criticize the city’s rising crime rate under Harrell’s leadership and referenced past allegations against the mayor and his staff, including a reported 1990s incident in which Harrell was arrested and charged for allegedly brandishing a gun after a woman who was eight months pregnant took his parking space.

“Before the mayor decides to blame the church for the chaos in Seattle, he ought to take a long, hard look in the mirror,” Johnson said. “The church isn’t the problem. It’s the solution to a city that, by virtue of corrupt political leadership, has found itself on a fast track to hell.”

Local radio host Ari Hoffman posted that Harrell had earlier “apologized within 24 hours for making a joke about the Sonics [NBA team] coming back,” but refused to apologize after insulting Christians.

Johnson shared emails from Harrell’s office showing it had suggested both Cal Anderson Park and South Lake Union Park as venue options – to dispel claims the church chose Cal Anderson Park to provoke LGBTQ residents. He also indicated that the U.S. Attorney General’s Office has been made aware of the situation, suggesting further federal involvement may follow.

Paula White-Cain, director of the White House Faith Office, condemned the incident and defended the right to religious expression.

“The White House Faith Office condemns the violent disruption of Seattle’s MayDay USA worship event,” White-Cain wrote. “Public officials must protect the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith or religious beliefs.”

Harrell issued a second statement Monday insinuating he’s a victim in all this.

“We will not be intimidated by the kind of fearmongering or divisiveness inspired by the rally … that takes aim at our residents and at Seattle’s second Black and first biracial mayor.”

Johnson criticized Harrell for invoking race in his defense.

“Now he releases a statement saying he is being ‘intimidated’ because he is biracial,” Johnson wrote on X. “That’s how you know we are winning. That’s how you know his resignation is impending.”

On Tuesday, the city’s website featured statements from 11 left-leaning Christian and Jewish leaders expressing support for Harrell and the LGBTQ community. The statements emphasized standing for “justice and love,” and said “this is exactly what Jesus calls the church to do.”

But Johnson and others maintain their right to speak “the truth in love,” and are preparing for possible legal action.

Pursuit Northwest has hired high-powered Seattle law firm Ellis, Li & McKinstry to explore litigation against Harrell, journalist Jonathan Choe reported. Choe and others posted multiple videos of protestors initiating violence, including one who attacked him.

Alliance Defending Freedom is also considering legal action.

“Pew Research shows Seattle is one of the most unchurched cities in America,” Choe posted before Tuesday’s rally. “That means many politicians and residents have no idea what’s about to hit City Hall this evening. They’ve never seen anything like this.”

The believers there may be outnumbered, but they appear to be rising up in defense of religious freedom.

“Is the church waking up in the Pacific Northwest?” asked a user known as Honey Badger Mom, sharing a photo of a protester holding a sign that read “The Church Will Not Be Silent.” She added, “Seems like maybe.”