Seattle homeless advocates arrested for blocking intersection

June 9, 2008

14 or 15 homeless advocates who had been blocking an intersection in downtown Seattle, Washington were arrested by police. The protest was in response to street sweeps that have been aimed at removing homeless camps.

The protesters, members of an organization called "Real Change", were taken peacefully to a bus after ignoring two police warnings to leave the area. They were then taken to the West Precinct station for processing, with the possibility of facing pedestrian interference charges.

The group had been camping overnight in front of the City Hall Plaza with the message that the city needs shelters for the homeless instead of simply running them out of camps. The city says that it gives residents warning and offers of social services before removing these camps due to health and safety issues.