The Red Lion Inn in downtown Olympia was the scene of the homeless protest
Around 35 people booked in to 17 rooms on Saturday night, and refused to leave
Carrying knives and axes they barricaded themselves into two floors of the hotel
Employees sheltered in the basement and hotel guests hid in their rooms
A group calling itself Oly Housing Now is demanding FEMA funds for shelter
They say it is dangerous to have COVID-vulnerable people in unsafe conditions
Officials at Thurston County say they are exploring options for funding