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.
Rantz: Police clear radicals occupying motel, chief announces zero tolerance policy
The Fife Travelodge. (KIRO 7 TV)
Update 12/30/2020 at 11:16am: Radicals with Tacoma Housing Now say police have arrived and are “breaking doors open” to remove the occupiers from the motel.
Cops are onsite blocking us in and have PPE and zip ties. We believe arrests are about to happen.
Cops are breaking doors open.
Police were seen, via a livestream, in “full protective gear” ahead of their action.
Update 12/30/2020 at 11:24am:
One homeless man, talking to
Behind Enemy Lines live streamer, says he came to the motel for a few nights but wasn’t part of the original action by Tacoma Housing Now.