Washington state signature-gathering rally draws over 250 despite threats from Antifa

Over 250 people gathered Saturday afternoon at Michael T. Simmons Elementary School in Tumwater for a Let’s Go Washington (LGW) signature-collecting event and rally that included a significant police presence after organizers were warned by the Federal Bureau of Investigation about threats targeting the event from Antifa.

LGW said it was notified Friday by the FBI that “Antifa-affiliated” individuals and groups were calling for acts of violence and intimidation against volunteers and supporters at the Tumwater event. Organizers said they proceeded with additional security measures while urging supporters to remain peaceful.

“Antifa’s goal is to threaten and intimidate Washington citizens into silence,” said LGW founder Brian Heywood in a statement released ahead of the rally. Heywood said the organization has faced “more than 50 documented physical assaults” during its campaign, including a hit-and-run incident involving a person allegedly attempting to steal signatures.

LGW is backing two ballot initiatives: one focused on restoring parental rights and notification in education, and another that would restrict male athletes from competing in girls’ sports. LGW praised the Tumwater Police Department for coordinating safety planning, including with private security, saying communication remained open throughout the process.

In its statement, LGW called on the Washington Education Association, its president Larry Delaney, and Washington Families for Freedom to “stop circulating false and inflammatory claims” that the group says contributed to an increase in threats toward signature gatherers. An email was sent out from a group backed by the WEA and the ACLU bragging about hindering signature-gathering efforts.

LGW also criticized Gov. Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown for not publicly urging major donors, who LGW alleges fund groups opposing the initiatives, to temper political rhetoric.

According to the Center Square, at Saturday’s rally, attendees signed petitions and were encouraged to take signature sheets to collect additional names in the final days before the deadline. Organizers told supporters the turn-in deadline was about a week away and that they were still seeking more signatures to improve the likelihood of certification for the November 2026 ballot.

Speakers included Rep. Travis Couture (R-Allyn), who told the crowd that “a society that doesn’t protect and defend its women, its daughters and wives, is a society that has lost its moral compass.”

Two high school athletes also spoke, describing their experiences competing against male athletes identifying as girls and the backlash they said followed their public comments. Tumwater High School sophomore Frances Staudt told the crowd she sat out the final basketball game of her freshman year because, she said, an 18-year-old biological male was playing on the opposing team. Staudt said that after she spoke out, she was investigated by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and the Tumwater School District for harassment, bullying, and misgendering. Her comments drew boos from the audience, and she added, “There are only two genders, and that is male and female.”

Annaleigh Wilson, a student at Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee, said she lost to a male athlete in May 2024 in the Junior Olympics 1,600-meter race. Wilson described being labeled hateful and said she and her family received messages suggesting her parents should be ashamed. She also became emotional, describing comments that she said blamed her for potential self-harm by students who identify as transgender. “Do you know what it’s like to carry that weight at 16?” she said, as members of the crowd shouted encouragement.

Both students said they sent direct messages to Gov. Bob Ferguson and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, who allow boys to compete in girls’ sports, asking them to listen to female athletes. “We matter, too,” Wilson said.

The threats of violence from Antifa come as signature gatherers have been harassed and assaulted across Washington. In one incident in October, “Antifa-affiliated” individuals allegedly attempted to coordinate an assault on a bystander using a wooden stake. LGW said a security officer blocked the blow, and the individual was detained.

As of Tuesday, LGW reported collecting 315,979 signatures for its girls’ sports initiative (IL26-638) and 298,571 signatures for its parental-rights initiative (IL26-001). Organizers said approximately 309,000 valid voter signatures are required for each initiative by 5 pm on Jan. 2, 2026, for certification by the Office of the Secretary of State.