Al Franken Event Will Go On As Planned, Over County Objections

SEATTLE, WA — Seattle Theatre Group will not cancel a planned Al Franken event at the Paramount on Friday, despite a letter signed by two county councilmembers this week asking them to do so. Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Joe McDermott said allowing Franken's event to continue would be a "slap in the face" to women and the community after a former staffer for Sen. Patty Murray said Franken touched her inappropriately during a 2006 Seattle event.

"We believe women and we believe Senator Franken does not deserve a space at one of Seattle's most historic and treasured theaters," said Kohl-Welles and McDermott in a statement Tuesday.

STG said they spoke with Franken after receiving the letter and hearing from the public and ultimately decided to continue with the event. Any ticket holder that no longer wants to attend can request a refund.

"STG feels that allegations of sexual harassment are serious," said Executive Director Josh LaBelle.

"We also acknowledge that our role as a performing arts venue is to present a platform for freedom of expression and speech to take place. We hope events like these will contribute to an ongoing dialogue that will be beneficial for our community."

After the letter was delivered on Tuesday, ACLU Washington expressed a similar sentiment, discouraging the government from pressuring venues to cancel events they disagree with. Franken has faced multiple accusations of inappropriate conduct, which led to him resigning from the U.S. Senate in 2017. His new speaking tour begins tonight in Portland.