On March 20, a bluntly worded mass text lit up phones around Snohomish, asking residents if they backed “vetoing the Snohomish Gay/Trans Pride Parade on First Street this year.” The poll-style blast invoked mayoral veto power and instantly set off a storm in the historic downtown, drawing sharp reactions from political groups, merchants and parade organizers. With the City Council preparing to weigh event permits this month, the flap has become the latest test of how the town handles public disagreement in a very public way.
Message origin and the mayor's response
Who sent the text is still a mystery. Snohomish Mayor Aaron Hoffman has made it clear it was not him. In a video statement, he pushed back on the suggestion that he was behind the message and emphasized, "Standards come before politics. Always." He said the city will move a complete application forward once organizers meet the usual requirements, a clarification reported by FOX 13 Seattle.
Organizers keep the march on track
Despite the text blast, the nonprofit that runs downtown Pride events is sticking to its plans. The group lists Snohomish Pride for June 6 and notes that last year’s celebration brought more than 14,000 people into town, according to its event materials. Volunteer and vendor sign-ups are open, and organizers say they are moving ahead with a family-friendly route along First Street while they finalize logistics and insurance requirements.
Political blowback and community split
The coordinated text poll did not go unanswered. The 44th Legislative District Democrats condemned the campaign and branded it a "hateful strongman tactic," urging local elected officials to publicly denounce the effort and stand with the LGBTQ+ community. The episode has thrown a spotlight on a divide in Snohomish between residents who see Pride as a welcome community celebration and those who find parts of it contentious.
Where the permit stands
In Snohomish, permits for events like Snohomish Pride are handled by the City Council, not through a one-sided mayoral veto. The Pride permit is expected to land on a consent agenda later this month, where items are usually approved without lengthy debate, according to FOX 13 Seattle. Other reporting and local groups have urged residents to attend upcoming council meetings after receiving the texts, pointing to slightly different meeting notices in circulation as supporters organize to pack the room, per Seattle Gay News.
Why the fight matters
Organizers and allies say Snohomish Pride pulls in attendees from across the county and nearby rural communities and serves as a rare, accessible hub for LGBTQ+ neighbors who do not have many events of this scale close to home. That helps explain why the effort to drum up opposition via a mass text has unnerved some residents and, in other corners, energized new supporters of the parade.
As the council calendar fills up, the dispute in Snohomish is a reminder that small-town festivals can quickly turn political. Parade organizers say they are pressing ahead with preparations and are urging supporters to register, volunteer and keep an eye on the council agenda in the weeks ahead.
