Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson faces World Cup protests over CID crime

Seattle socialist mayor Katie Wilson is facing protests in her city ahead of today’s USA World Cup match as members of the local Chinese and Vietnamese communities accuse her of abandoning their neighborhoods to crime and open-air drug dealing.

One organizer went so far as to accuse progressive Wilson of viewing Seattle’s Chinatown International District (CID) as a “human dump” for homeless people and drug addicts.

While Seattle has hosted some of the biggest matches of the World Cup, including today’s USA-Belgium match, CID and “Little Saigon” residents and business owners say their neighborhoods are being deprived of economic benefits, with safety concerns causing people to avoid the area, according to local media. KIRO7.

Business owners are reporting a significant drop in foot traffic and business despite being less than a mile from Lumen Field. As frustrations grow, many blame Wilson’s leadership and take to the streets to protest him in front of the World Cup crowds.

SPENCER PRATT SET SOCIAL MEDIA ON FIRE WITH VIRAL REMOVE OF ‘VILE, COMMIE MAYOR’ MAMDANI

At a rally, CID advocate Gary Lee said into the microphone: “Wilson claims to be a defender of multi-ethnic communities, but all he has done is turn CID into a people’s dumping ground and enough is enough.” KIRO 7 reported.

In an interview with the outlet, Lee said, “When I look at the TV, I see the beach is packed, Pioneer Square is packed. When I go to Chinatown, it’s like dead.” he said.

“I hate to say it, but it feels like a ghost town,” he said of CID.

Fox News Digital reached out to Wilson for comment, but the mayor did not respond by the time of publication.

SEATTLE’S SOCIALIST MAYOR KATIE WILSON WAS SLAMMED FOR CUTTING SHORT AN INTERVIEW ON A FUNDAMENTAL PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE

U.S. players celebrate the first own goal by Australia’s Cameron Burgess during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match at Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

When CID residents began voicing their frustrations, Wilson responded: “We’ve certainly seen a lot of energy being expended on risking leaving the downtown corridor as visitors arrive.”

In a statement sent to KIRO 7, Wilson’s office said: “The issues of crime and disorder in CID have gone unaddressed for too long. We continue to work with the CID community to address their concerns and ensure this remains a safe, active and vibrant neighborhood.”

Meanwhile, Fox 13Seattle reported community activist and former city council member Tanya Woo as saying many businesses in the area saw a 10-20% drop in sales.

Woo urged community members to join the march to the stadium area on Monday and “personally invite fans to dine, shop and experience the Chinatown-International District.”

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER

Fans gather in designated FIFA World Cup fan zones in downtown Seattle to watch 2026 FIFA World Cup matches on giant screens on July 6, 2026. (Ercin Ertürk/Anadolu via Getty Images)

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“Many businesses in the Chinatown-International District are reporting a decline in sales compared to this time last year. Even though thousands of FIFA fans come to Seattle, our neighborhood has largely become a rideshare pick-up and drop-off zone,” he wrote.

In another post, Woo wrote that “Seattle’s Chinatown International District should benefit from the FIFA World Cup, not be left behind.”