LIVE: Updates on Seattle's Tuesday protest, arrests, more

SEATTLE - A group of evangelicals and conservatives rallied at Seattle City Hall on Tuesday in response to comments made by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell.

The "Rattle in Seattle" demonstration began at 5 p.m. on the 4th Avenue steps of City Hall in downtown Seattle, with counterprotesters also showing up.

Less than 15 minutes after the event was scheduled to begin, the Seattle Police Department said four people had been arrested. An hour later, police said two more people had been arrested for assault. By 8 p.m., a total of eight people had been arrested for assault.

No injuries were reported as of Tuesday evening.

What we know:

The protest follows a weekend event at Cal Anderson Park where Seattle police made 23 arrests as event organizers, attendees and counter-protesters converged.

Mayor Harrell released a statement afterward, urging residents to avoid violence during protests and calling for the Parks Department to review the circumstances of the rally organizer's application.

What they're saying:

Organizers of "Rattle in Seattle" expressed offense at the mayor's inquiry, claiming his statements were an example of religious bigotry and an undermining of First Amendment rights.

"Following the MayDay USA worship event at Cal Anderson Park on Saturday, Mayor Harrell had the audacity to issue a press release blaming Christians for the premediated violence of Antifa which resulted in the hospitalization of Seattle Police Department personnel and the arrest of 23 Antifa agitators," Rattle in Seattle organizers said, in part. "Under Mayor Harrell’s leadership, the city of Seattle has continued its spiral into lawlessness and dysfunction while the first amendment rights of citizens to peacefully assemble has been disregarded."

The other side:

"Seattle is proud of our reputation as a welcoming, inclusive city for LGBTQ+ communities, and we stand with our trans neighbors when they face bigotry and injustice," Harrell said in a statement on Saturday. "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, in the heart of Seattle’s most prominent LGBTQ+ neighborhood."

Keep reading for live updates from Seattle City Hall as Tuesday's planned protests unfold. Get live updates in the player below.

8:15 p.m. — Roads reopen, no injuries reported

The streets around what Seattle Police refer to as dueling demonstrations reopened just before 8 p.m. after being shut down for hours on Tuesday afternoon.

No injuries had been reported by 8 p.m., according to the Seattle Police Department.

Police asked the public to remain cautious in the area around the downtown demonstrations as those attending made their ways home.

7:03 p.m. — Eight arrests made

Seattle police announced shortly after 7 p.m. that a seventh arrest had been made, this time for assaulting an officer. Just before 7:20 p.m., authorities announced an eighth arrest, this one connected to an assault earlier in the day.

6:17 p.m. — Two more arrested for assault

Seattle police said shortly after 6:00 p.m. that two more people had been arrested for assault at the First Amendment event outside of Seattle City Hall. That brings the total to six people arrested at the protest.

5:15 p.m. — Roads remain blocked by protest

5:15 p.m. — FBI to launch investigation

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino posted on X that the agency is going to investigate "allegations of targeted violence against religious groups at the Seattle concert."

"Freedom of religion isn’t a suggestion," Bongino wrote.

5:09 p.m. — Seattle police start making arrests

Four people were arrested outside of Seattle City Hall at what the Seattle Police Department called a First Amendment event.

Roads in the area continued to be blocked during the protests.

5:07 p.m. — People taken into custody at protest

FOX 13 Seattle cameras appeared to show several people taken into custody at the rally. Seattle police have not yet confirmed if any arrests had been made.

Meanwhile, the Rattle in Seattle rally got underway with music and cheering. 

4:41 p.m. — Crowds forming outside Seattle City Hall

Seattle police and protesters have gathered outside Seattle City Hall ahead of the 5 p.m. planned event. Traffic is being diverted in the area and impacting the evening commute for some drivers.

3:45 p.m. — Rattle in Seattle setting up

The "Rattle in Seattle" group was setting up outside of Seattle City Hall ahead of its planned rally at 5 p.m.

3:00 p.m.  — Seattle police block off streets around Seattle City Hall

The Seattle Police Department issued a traffic alert stating that 4th Ave. between James and Cherry streets would be closed for a First Amendment event at City Hall Tuesday night.

You were asked to use alternate routes on 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th avenues if needing to get through the area.

1:20 p.m.  — Police block off streets around Seattle City Hall

Several streets around Seattle City Hall  were blocked off by Seattle Police Department vehicles ahead of a 2:00 p.m. Seattle City Council meeting.

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