Read on Twitter
I’m outside Tacoma’s Gault Middle School where about 10 unsheltered people have occupied the building. They’re escaping the cold, and demanding the city address homelessness in a more permanent way. Police gathered outside, but all is calm right now. More later on @knkxfm.
The people here were living under a bridge on Tacoma’s tideflats. I just talked to a man named Nathaniel Stewart who was waking up under the bridge and going to work, mostly temp labor jobs. He says he feels safer, and more hopeful about getting out of homelessness.
The school closed in 2009. There was a string of potential buyers for the property over the years, most recently the Tacoma Housing Authority, but the deals fell through. Windows are patched up with boards. Folks inside say they’re cleaning up, settling into former classrooms.
The people here say a catalyst for this action was two recent deaths of people due to exposure in Tacoma, one person who died in a wheelchair outside and another who died in a car. I don’t have details on these yet.
Going live on @knkxfm at 3:44 to talk about this. Don’t die, phone!
I’ve left the scene to file some stories, but I’ll swing back again.
I just went back to the scene. A few police vehicles outside, but still calm. Advocates tell me the city offered shelter beds, but the people occupying declined, saying that does not meet their demands. Negotiations continue. I think these folks are in for the night.
According to @RebeccaforWA, advocates told the police lieutenant they’re negotiating with that they want to talk to Tacoma Mayor @Woodards4Tacoma, and they’re waiting to see if she calls.
You can listen to how I described
the scene to @edronco on the air earlier: https://www.knkx.org/post/unsheltered-people-occupy-vacant-tacoma-school-building
the scene to @edronco on the air earlier: https://www.knkx.org/post/unsheltered-people-occupy-vacant-tacoma-school-building
Looks like I was wrong about the situation holding steady for tonight. A report of police going in to clear the building. https://twitter.com/PhotogGriff/status/1329984743035658243?s=20
Update: Tacoma police went inside and cleared people out this evening, shortly after I left, said @RebeccaforWA @TacHousing https://www.knkx.org/post/police-remove-unsheltered-people-occupation-vacant-tacoma-school-building
