RENTON, Wash. – A town hall hosted by Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) at Renton Technical College erupted into chaos Monday evening after anti-Israel protesters stormed the stage, resulting in three arrests for trespassing. The confrontation, tied to far-left political activism, has already become a flashpoint in Smith’s re-election battle against former Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, a self-described Marxist.
Stage Storming and Arrests
According to Renton Police, the disruption began when nine protesters, reportedly aligned with the far-left group Workers Strike Back, rushed the stage during Smith’s public event. Chanting anti-Israel slogans, they refused to yield the microphone or leave the area when asked.
Most eventually exited the stage, but three returned and refused to comply with police orders. Officers arrested the individuals for trespassing and booked them into the South Correctional Entity (SCORE) jail in Des Moines.
Congressman Smith later issued a statement condemning the interruption:
“Today’s town hall was intentionally disrupted to attempt to silence a democratic conversation between a Representative and his constituents. This behavior is unacceptable. One of my staff members was physically assaulted during the chaos – an act that crosses every line of civil discourse.”
Smith reiterated his support for peaceful protest but denounced coordinated attempts to shut down open dialogue.
Sawant’s Press Conference Meets a Flight Path
Following the arrests, Sawant held a press conference outside SCORE jail in support of the protesters. However, her remarks were repeatedly interrupted — not by counterprotesters, but by the thunder of airplanes landing at nearby Sea-Tac Airport.
The event, set directly under the airport’s flight path, forced Sawant to pause mid-sentence several times as jets roared overhead. The awkward spectacle became fodder for commentary on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI.
Hoffman mocked both the protest and Sawant’s attempt to leverage it for political visibility:
“Kshama Sawant shows up with her merry band of idiots to disrupt [the town hall]. Now this is where the stories diverge… According to her, they were peacefully protesting. According to Adam Smith, one of his staff members got assaulted.”
He suggested Sawant is seeking relevance after leaving the City Council, claiming her congressional campaign has yet to gain traction.
Chants and Political Tensions
During the disruption, protesters chanted, “Adam Smith, you can’t hide, you are funding genocide.” Hoffman dismissed the slogan as “really dumb” and argued Sawant’s influence within the progressive movement has waned:
“She doesn’t get to sit at the cool kids’ table anymore… Even the socialist poster child Zoran Mamdani is more palatable. At least he says his horrible ideas politely. Sawant is shrill and obnoxious.”
Sawant used her press conference to accuse Smith of supporting “genocide” in Gaza, calling for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. She also reiterated broader progressive goals, including free healthcare, taxing the wealthy, and national rent control.
Aftermath and Potential Charges
As of Tuesday, it remains unclear whether the three arrested protesters will face formal charges. Renton Police confirmed the trespassing arrests but provided no additional details on the alleged assault against Smith’s staff member.
Sawant expressed solidarity with those detained, stating:
“If that is a crime, then I am a criminal too.”
Hoffman responded on air with a sarcastic quip: “Lock her up.”
A Preview of a Contentious Race
The confrontation underscores the growing friction between establishment Democrats like Smith and far-left challengers willing to use disruptive protest tactics to spotlight their causes. With Sawant’s candidacy already generating controversy, Monday’s events may set the tone for one of Washington state’s most ideologically charged congressional races in 2025.
For Smith, the clash offers an opportunity to contrast his willingness to host open forums with what he portrays as his opponent’s aggressive, speech-stifling politics. For Sawant, it was a chance — albeit one marred by jet noise — to reaffirm her activist credentials and rally her progressive base.
Either way, the incident has already ensured that this campaign will be closely watched, both for its policy battles and for its political theater.
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