Attempted takeover of Olympia hotel by homeless activists ends in 10 arrests Alfred Charles, KOMONews.com Executive Producer
Attempted takeover of Olympia hotel by homeless activists ends in 10 arrests UP NEXT
Ten homeless activists were arrested in Olympia on Sunday after the group allegedly occupied a downtown hotel, assaulting at least one employee and prompting guests and staffers to shelter in place for several hours, authorities said.
Olympic Police Department Lt. Paul Lower told KOMO News that employees of the Red Lion Inn & Suites, located at 621 Capitol Way South, began calling for help at 11 a.m. after several people, one of whom was wielding a hatchet while others brandished batons and knives, entered the facility, saying they were taking the hotel over.
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.
Police in Olympia, Washington, said they removed dozens of homeless activists after they forcibly occupied a downtown hotel to secure housing for some of the city s homeless population.
At 11 a.m. Sunday guests inside the Red Lion Hotel began calling 911 to report a group was attempting to take over the hotel and an employee was allegedly assaulted, according to the Olympia Police Department.
Police estimated about 45 members of the activist group Oly Housing Now were inside and outside the hotel, some of whom were allegedly armed with hatchets, batons and knives.
Seven people were arrested on charges, including burglary and trespassing, according to KIRO-TV, and more arrests were expected.
Olympia officials said 40 hotel rooms were booked by bystanders at the time of the apparent takeover, Fox News reported.
“Before the occupation, the activist group had earlier reserved 17 rooms, which were occupied by currently unhoused individuals as the occupation occurred,” the city said.
BREAKING: @OlyHousingNow Takes Motel for Emergency Pandemic Housing
Group Calls on Thurston County to Pay for the Rooms with FEMA Funding That Covers Non-Congregate Shelter at 100% pic.twitter.com/btGQ9rgOqX
One hotel worker was assaulted during the takeover, while the others sought refuge in the building’s basement, KING 5 reported. People from the group overtook the two floors of the hotel and reportedly covered the windows with dark-colored tarps.
At Least 7 Arrested After Activists Occupy Washington State Hotel
At least seven people were taken into custody on Sunday in Olympia, Washington, as law enforcement disrupted an attempt to take over a hotel.
Law enforcement officers, including SWAT officers, closed off the road on which sits the Red Lion Hotel and began clearing the hotel floor by floor after employees fled to the basement in fear after activists entered the building, a police spokesperson told The Olympian. Seven people were arrested and officials expected more arrests before the operation was over.
The Olympia Police Department didn’t respond to a request for comment. Arrest records from Sunday showed one arrest at or near the hotel.