I saw a modern day pogrom in one of the most progressive cities in the US. I went to a Jewish fundraiser for StandWithUs in downtown Seattle Sunday night expecting something simple: time with my family, some kosher food, and a chance to support an organization that fights antisemitism.
Instead, we walked into a hostile mob that was shouting, screaming, and hurling slurs.
This wasn’t some peaceful protest. This was a coordinated effort by pro-Hamas, Antifa, and communist activists who deliberately exposed the location of a Jewish event and showed up to shut it down. The media may want to soften that reality, but the activists themselves didn’t hide who they were. They wore the symbols, shouted the slogans, and made their intentions clear.
Organizers tried to keep the location confidential, but Antifa influencer Hannah Saunders of Through The Static, encouraged activists to register, get the location, then publicize it so protesters could mobilize. Activist networks, including the American Party of Labor Puget Sound Division and the Puget Sound Workers League, urged supporters to confront Miss Israel 2021 Noa Cochva, using inflammatory rhetoric and encouraging turnout.
By the time my wife, daughter, and I arrived at Town Hall, the situation had already deteriorated. About 75 radicals had gathered outside the venue. Many wore keffiyehs and waved Palestinian flags while blocking access points to the venue, including the parking and valet areas.
Valet workers had reportedly abandoned their posts out of fear. As we approached, we could hear chanting and screaming echoing through downtown. Protesters blocked entrances, smeared fake blood across the ground, and hurled slurs at attendees.
At one point, someone made a throat-slashing gesture toward our car.
This was outside an event with about 300 attendees focused on combating antisemitism.
And we’re supposed to pretend that what’s happening here has nothing to do with antisemitism?
Eventually, Seattle police stepped in. Officers pushed through the crowd to create a path so people could enter and exit safely. It didn’t take long before activists began shoving officers. Arrests followed.
Three individuals were arrested. The action was led by pro-Hamas, Antifa and communist activists who blocked entrances, harassed and assaulted Jewish attendees, then scuffled with police.
One of them repeatedly blocked traffic, ignored ordered to leave the road, and disrupted traffic to write chalk slogans on the street. He was in violation of traffic and pedestrian laws, was repeatedly warned to stop, and did it anyway.
Officers had to create a pathway into the building to protect people from the violent mob. One of the activists pushed an officer and a struggle ensued, though the activist later denied it.
I’m grateful to the officers who stepped in. They protected families under chaotic conditions and restored some level of order.
But here’s the problem: days later, we learn that the individuals arrested that night were released, with prosecutors citing a lack of evidence. They were not charged and by Tuesday they had already been released.
That raises serious questions. Was evidence not properly collected or submitted? Or are prosecutors once again declining to act?
Because this isn’t an isolated incident. We’ve seen a pattern in King County; disruptive, sometimes violent protests followed by little to no accountability. When there are no consequences, the message is clear: keep going.
Equally troubling was the silence from elected officials. Where were the statements condemning what happened? Where were the calls for accountability Nowhere.
When Jews are targeted in Seattle, too many people in power look the other way. If a city cannot ensure that people can attend a Jewish event without facing intimidation and threats, then something is deeply wrong, and too many people are choosing to ignore it.
