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Employees, guests forced to take shelter after group tries to take over Olympia hotel
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Activists try to take over hotel in Olympia
Dozens of people stormed the Red Lion Inn Sunday in an attempt to take over and give hotel rooms to people experiencing homelessness.
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Employees and guests at an Olympia hotel had to take shelter for several hours Sunday after a homeless activist group tried to take over and give beds to people experiencing homelessness.
It happened at the Red Lion Inn in downtown Olympia, also known as the Governor s hotel. People inside the hotel started calling 911 about 11 a.m. Sunday reporting a group trying to forcibly take over the hotel, according to a news release from the city.
SWAT teams sweep homeless out of Washington state hotel that was taken over by activists
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Olympia, Washington Two Olympia police SWAT teams went door-to-door at the Red Lion Hotel Sunday night breaking up what police called a forcible occupation by homeless advocates. Other officers escorted out employees who were sheltering in the basement for more than six hours, feeling trapped, police said.
The activists, from a group called Oly Housing Now, paid for 17 rooms for one night, moved in 33 homeless people and tried to arrange for them to stay indefinitely without paying, KIRO says.
At least seven people were in custody late Sunday after homeless activists, some reportedly armed with hatchets and knives, "forcibly" occupied the lobby and 17 rooms at the Red Lion Hotel in Olympia, Wash, according to officials.
7 individuals face charges for occupying Red Lion hotel in Olympia Sunday
A homeless activist group forcibly occupied the Red Lion hotel in Olympia Sunday, forcing employees and guests of the hotel to shelter in place, police said. Author: KING 5 Staff Updated: 5:46 PM PST February 1, 2021
OLYMPIA, Wash. Seven individuals arrested Sunday night in Olympia for forcibly occupying the Red Lion hotel near the state Capitol appeared before a judge Monday.
The individuals are facing various charges including burglary and assault, according to court documents from the Thurston County Prosecutor s Office.
The individuals are part of a homeless activist group known as Oly Housing Now, according to a city press release Sunday.