On August 13, 2017, the group Patriot Prayer held a rally in Westlake Park. Their mission, according to the event Facebook page, was as follows: "Seattle is running our state with a pedophile as a mayor. The West Coast has slowly been infected with communist ideologies throughout our entire culture. It is a belief that the individual is weak and that we are all victims. This is the lie of the century. No matter who you are, we are all amazing people with the ability to do anything that we put our minds to. These liberal strongholds run off of hatred and negativity. Patriot Prayer will bring in a positive message to Seattle that the people are starving for."
The day before the rally was scheduled to take place, a terrorist drove a car into a crowd of anti-fascist protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, killing Heather Heyer. This event dramatically increased the tension between Patriot Prayer and a scheduled anti-fascist counter protest (called the Solidarity Against Hate Rally). Many attendees of the Patriot Prayer rally wore quasi-military gear and waved pro-Trump flags. At least four members of the white-supremacist group The Proud Boys were present, identifiable by their black and yellow Fred Perry polo shirts.
Photographs from the Patriot Prayer Freedom Rally Collection, August 13, 2017.
The collection is entirely digital and can be viewed only on the Libraries Digital Collections website.
Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Donor: Kristin Kinsey, 70 images, August 14, 2017; Jamie Colman, 11 images, 2018.
Text on sign reads: "Halt the Alt-Right"
Text on sign reads: "Black Lives Matter" [with circle-A anarchy symbol]
Text on clothing reads: "Make America Great Again""Make America Great Again" was President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign slogan.One protestor is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization". They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
One protestor is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization". They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Text on badge reads: "American Patriot Washington" [with image of eagle head over "The III%"]Badge depicts: 3 Percenters flagThe Three Percenters is an American Militia group whose members pledge protestation and armed resistance against attempts to curtail constitutional rights, namely the Second Amendment (Wikipedia).
Text on badge reads: "Peacekeepers Joint Task Force - CDF" [with image of snake twined into Roman numeral III, surrounded by 13 stars (part of the Three Percenters flag)]The Three Percenters is an American Militia group whose members pledge protestation and armed resistance against attempts to curtail constitutional rights, namely the Second Amendment (Wikipedia).
Text on sign reads: "Alt Right is all wrong. Unwelcome here"
Text on badge reads: "American Patriot Washington" [with image of eagle head over "The III$"]The Three Percenters is an American Militia group whose members pledge protestation and armed resistance against attempts to curtail constitutional rights, namely the Second Amendment (Wikipedia).
Protester is wearing a hat with the black, green, and white symbol for The Cascade Legion. The Cascade Legion is a volunteer organization who described themselves as "a warre-band... of the political right" who's primary purpose is to "[preserve] peace and order... from left-wing terrorist organizations such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa."
Protester is wearing a hat with the black, green, and white symbol for The Cascade Legion. The Cascade Legion is a volunteer organization who described themselves as "a warre-band... of the political right" who's primary purpose is to "[preserve] peace and order... from left-wing terrorist organizations such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa."
Both protester are wearing the black, green, and white symbol for The Cascade Legion. The Cascade Legion is a volunteer organization who described themselves as "a warre-band... of the political right" who's primary purpose is to "[preserve] peace and order... from left-wing terrorist organizations such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa."
Text on signs read: "There is no 'they', there is only US"; "Strength through diversity." Text on clothing reads: "Trump"; "Army Veteran Daughter - Most people never meet their Heroes - I was raised by mine." Protesters are carrying and wearing various forms of the American flag.
Text on clothing reads: "Army veteran Daughter - Most people never meet their Heroes - I was raised by mine."
Text on clothing reads: "Army Veteran Daughter - Most people never meet their Heroes - I was raised by mine."
This individual is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Text on clothing reads: "Stomp my flag [with an image of the American flag] - I'll stomp your ass - V/R Patriotic American." One individual is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Text on clothing reads: "Stomp my flag [with an image of the American flag], I'll stomp your ass. V/R Patriotic American."
Two patches feature the roman number three surrounded by stars. This is the symbol for the Three Percenters (also styled "3%ers). The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights.
Text on sign reads: "When they come for any of us... We must ALL SPEAK OUT."
Protester is wearing a patch reading "Peacekeepers Joint Task Force - CDF" surrounding the roman number three, which is in turn surrounded by stars. The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights.
Text on clothing reads: "Trump - Make America Great Again."
Text on clothing reads: "Make America Great Again." "Make America Great Again", abbreviated to MAGA, is a campaign slogan used by President Donald Trump in his 2016 presidential campaign.
Joey Gibson is a Vancouver, Washington native who leads the group Patriot Prayer. The group has been described variously as alt-right, far right, and conservative.
Text on clothing reads: "Make America Great Again"; "DANGER - Cis-gendered, straight, white, male - How else may I offend you?." "Make America Great Again", abbreviated to MAGA, is a campaign slogan used by President Donald Trump in his 2016 presidential campaign.
Text on clothing reads: "Make America Great Again"; "DANGER - Cis-gendered, straight, white, male - How else may I offend you?." "Make America Great Again", abbreviated to MAGA, is a campaign slogan used by President Donald Trump in his 2016 presidential campaign.
Text on signs read: "If I had a brick for every Hillary [Clinton] lie, we could build the wall [with an image of President Donald Trump in front of a brick wall]"; "TRUMP - No more bullshit"; "Quit crying snowflakes - The choice has been made [with an image of President Donald Trump]"; "Law & Order - Vote Trump"; "Keep America Great - Re-elect Trump 2020." Also for sale is a vial of pepper spray.
Text on clothing reads: "Trump - The man who has put aside his great life to be scrutinized, mocked, ridiculed, slandered and humiliated for the American people."
Text on clothing reads: "Trump - The man who has put aside his great life to be scrutinized, mocked, ridiculed, slandered and humiliated for the American people."
Text on sign reads: "If it talks like a nazi, then it's a fucking nazi."
Text on sign reads: "Hate has no home here."
Text on sign reads: "When they come for any of us... We must ALL SPEAK OUT."
Joey Gibson is also on stage. Joey Gibson is a Vancouver, Washington native who leads the group Patriot Prayer. The group has been described variously as alt-right, far right, and conservative.One protester is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Joey Gibson is a Vancouver, Washington native who leads the group Patriot Prayer. The group has been described variously as alt-right, far right, and conservative.One protester is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Joey Gibson is a Vancouver, Washington native who leads the group Patriot Prayer. The group has been described variously as alt-right, far right, and conservative.One protester is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Text on sign reads: "Stop pretending your racism is patriotism - No place for hate."
Text on sticker reads: "F_CK ANTIFA [with blood spatter] - www.BasedStickman.com." Protester is wearing a thin blue line flag as a cape. The thin blue line flag is meant to represent support for law enforcement.
Text on sticker reads: "F_CK ANTIFA [with blood spatter] - www.BasedStickman.com." Protester is wearing a thin blue line flag as a cape. The thin blue line flag is meant to represent support for law enforcement.
Text on clothing reads: "Make America Great Again." "Make America Great Again", abbreviated to MAGA, is a campaign slogan used by President Donald Trump in his 2016 presidential campaign.
Text on signs read: "[Drawing of the confederate battle flag as a roll of toilet paper] Good for two things - Surrendering and wiping my ass"; "Stop white supremacist terrorism!." Text on clothing reads: "Fuck racism, punch nazis"; "Make America Great Again." Two protesters are wearing black Fred Perry polo shirts with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Text on sign reads: "Freedom is for everyone - ACLU."
Text on sign reads: "Free yourself from hate - Destroy racism." Text on clothing reads: "Make America Great Again." One protester is wearing a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes on the collar and sleeves. This shirt has been adopted by the alt-right group The Proud Boys. This group, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
This protester is also wearing a Thors Hammer pendant on a necklace. The traditional origins of this symbol are not racist, but the symbol has long been appropriated by neo-Nazis and other white supremacist groups.The Thin Blue Line flag is often meant to represent support for law enforcement.The Cascade Legion is a volunteer organization who described themselves as "a warre-band... of the political right" who's primary purpose is to "[preserve] peace and order... from left-wing terrorist organizations such as Black Lives Matter and Antifa."
Text on sign reads: "Strength through diversity."
Text on sign reads: "Haters go home."
Text on sign reads: "Take down the statue." This sign refers to a growing movement in the United States to remove public monuments to Confederate figures.
Text on sign reads: "Strength through diversity."
Text on sign reads: "RESIST - #DumpTrump - Love More - Hate Less."
Text on signs read: "Strength through diversity."
Text on clothing reads: "Peacekeepers joint task force - CDF" surrounding the roman numeral three which is in turn surrounded by stars. This is the symbol for the Three Percenters (also styled "3%ers). The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights.
Text on sign reads: "Resist."
Text on clothing reads: "Peacekeepers joint task force - CDF" surrounding the roman numeral three which is in turn surrounded by stars. This is the symbol for the Three Percenters (also styled "3%ers). The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights.
This individual is wearing a patch of a thin blue line flag, which is usually meant to represent respect for law enforcement. They are also wearing a patch that reads "Peacekeepers Joint Task Force - CDF" surrounding the roman numeral three, which in turn is surrounded by stars. This is the symbol for the Three Percenters (also styled "3%ers). The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights. Finally, they are wearing a red and black Jerusalem cross. This Jerusalem cross represents Christ's command to spread the Gospel around the world.
Text on sign reads: "Strength through diversity." Text on clothing reads: "Based grandmas"; "Black Lives Matter." One protester is wearing two Three Percenter patches. The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights.
Text on signs read: "Love Resists"; "Black Lives Matter."
This individual is wearing a patch of a thin blue line flag, which is usually meant to represent respect for law enforcement. They are also wearing a patch that reads "Peacekeepers Joint Task Force - CDF" surrounding the roman numeral three, which in turn is surrounded by stars. This is the symbol for the Three Percenters (also styled "3%ers). The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights. Finally, they are wearing a red and black Jerusalem cross. This Jerusalem cross represents Christ's command to spread the Gospel around the world.
Text on sign reads: "Fuck racism - Down with white supremacy."
Text on sign depicts a stylized Klan member under a "NO" symbol, made to look like the logo from the movie Ghostbusters.
Text on clothing reads: "Trump [with an image of President Trump holding a gun]."
Text on clothing reads: "Stop the culture of victimhood."
Two of the three demonstrators pictured are wearing Three Percenter patches. The Three Percenters describe themselves as an American "patriot movement" which pledges resistance against the United States government regarding infringement of the United States Constitution. The group's stated primary purpose is to protect constitutional rights. One protester is also wearing a patch of a thin blue line flag, which is often used to represent support for law enforcement. Finally, one protester is also wearing a black and red Jerusalem Cross patch which Christ's command to spread the Gospel around the world.
Text on sign reads: "Nazi ain't got no humanity."
Text on sign reads: "Proud Boys = Treason." The Proud Boys, founded in 2016, describe themselves as a "pro-Western fraternal organization." They have been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy, as a white supremacist group.
Text on sign reads: "Don't fuck with immigrants - NO! In the name of humanity, refuse to accept a fascist America. #NoFascistUSA."
Text on signs read: "Strength through diversity"; "No! Fence, Drones, Checkpoints, Detentions."
Text on sign reads: "Resist."
Text on sign reads: "[Drawing of the confederate battle flag as a roll of toilet paper] Good for two things - Surrendering and wiping my ass."