Mackin’s Midweek Musings: FIFA noticed Seattle’s Troublemakers
Bob Mackin
During Seattle’s turn as a FIFA World Cup host city, security officials kept an eye on an anti-Donald Trump protest on the day Belgium and Egypt drew at Lumen Field.
According to a June 15 entry in FIFA’s daily security rundown — obtained from the Washington Military Department under freedom of information — “the activist group Troublemakers protested outside Seattle Stadium against ‘Trump’s fascist regime’ with signs calling out voter suppression, lies, dismantling institutions of democracy and anti-ICE slogans.”
Other incidents included a June 11 perimeter breach at Spokane’s Gonzaga University, the team base camp for Egypt.
“An individual entered the secure area of the practice site after reportedly manipulating perimeter fencing. The person was escorted out by on-site security. No injuries or infrastructure damage were reported.”
A June 15 entry for Seattle said a driver was caught recording a team practice from an adjacent building stairway after claiming he needed to use a washroom at the secure training site.
“Security responded, the driver eventually complied with phone review and deletion of the video, and the matter was escalated through the fleet management chain.”
Lumen Field in Seattle. (FIFA)
Around the Rim
The Taiwan News reported that a leaked European Union document confirmed China’s military was training Russian troops.
“The framework for this cooperation began on July 2, 2025, when military officials signed a covert, dual-language training agreement in Beijing.”
Approximately 200 Russian servicemen entered secure People’s Liberation Army installations last November, where elite Chinese instructors taught the Russian visitors “advanced drone operations and electronic warfare, alongside radiological, chemical, and biological defence tactics.”
In Japan, all-day pass average prices for theme parks rose beyond 5,000 Yen — or USD$31 — the highest since 2022, the Kyodo News reported.
“Published in July, the survey of 191 major leisure facilities in Japan — including theme parks, aquariums and zoos – showed that 50 facilities, or around 26%, plan to raise ticket prices in 2026, down by around 30% from the previous year.”
Among those raising prices in 2026: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Atlassian is building the world’s tallest hybrid tower in Sydney’s central business district, according to ABC News Australia.
The 39-storey, $1.4 billion tower began construction in 2022 and contains timber, concrete and steel. It is designed to be 180 metres and open in 2027.
“The lower five floors of building will house a 500-bed ‘co-living’ hostel operated by YHA Australia.”
Cascadia Calling
Jimothy fever: On KING 5, the viral racoon has inspired a mural, tattoos and a Seattle civic proclamation.
The “raccoon with an unusually short body, believed by wildlife experts to have a congenital spinal condition” is the talk of the town. The Seattle Mariners, the University of Washington and the Seattle Public Library jumped on the Jimothy bandwagon.
“Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck plans to present an official proclamation recognizing the viral raccoon during a community celebration in Ballard July 26.”
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife urged Seattle folks to “admire Jimothy from a distance.”
Not to be outdone, BC Ferries took a lost pink stuffed donkey toy for a ride. Until a five-year-old stepped forward to claim the donkey, nicknamed Churro the Burro by BC Ferries staff.
“It was found on the Salish Raven and was believed to be lost on a sailing from Swartz Bay to the Southern Gulf Islands,” reported CHEK TV.
On BC Ferries’ social media channels, crew could be seen in “showing Churro around the staff areas of the ship, and putting the donkey to work by checking for anything in the ferry’s path, answering the phone, and putting on safety gear.”
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Bob Mackin During Seattle’s turn as a FIFA
The scope and scale of China’s activity at the state and local levels far outpaced Russia, while Russia leaked more intelligence-acquired information than Iran.
