Homelessness activists reportedly armed with hatchets and knives “forcibly” took over the lobby and 17 rooms at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia, Washington.
“Olympia PD not messing around tonight. Several arrests so far as they clear the occupied hotel. Businesses were told to close early,” radio host Jason Rantz posted on Twitter, accompanied by a video of the scene.
Olympia PD not messing around tonight. Several arrests so far as they clear the occupied hotel. Businesses were told to close early. pic.twitter.com/E3ZAsWuT1Y
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) February 1, 2021
SWAT teams cleared the hotel, and seven people were arrested. A group of hotel employees was also found safe and escorted from the scene.
The activists were from a group called Oly Housing Now, which is a homeless advocacy group. About 45 activists carried out the reported takeover.
“The regular guests that have been here have been stuck in their rooms all day and then the employees have been locked in the basement all day,” said a woman whose mother works at the hotel. “She said there were people hiding in the stairways and stuff like that.”
One video showed supporters of the reported takeover chanting that police officers in the city can “choke and die.”
They are now chanting to Olympia cops to “choke and die.” pic.twitter.com/EnMh9esHbu
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) February 1, 2021
The agitators keep pushing the Olympia cops. They’re actively trying to agitate a conflict so they can pretend the police started it. pic.twitter.com/kMde4dzuJj
— (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) February 1, 2021
“Olympia has led on responding to homelessness, on coordinating shelter and other basic needs,” Mayor Cheryl Selby said. “The tactics used today by Oly Housing Now are unproductive and won’t make the mission more attainable.”
Those detained are accused of committing crimes, which include burglary and trespassing.
The situation hearkens back to when homelessness activists in Washington occupied the Travelodge hotel in Fife.
