About 60 residents of Nickelsville, the homeless encampment that located on Port of Seattle property at Terminal 107 Park, 4700 West Marginal Way, were evicted when Port of Seattle Police showed up Wednesday, Sept, 30.

This was the camp's eighth location since it was first evicted from a South Park vacant city lot Sept. 26 of last year.

At about 1 p.m. Kurt Beckett, communications director Port of Seattle and Port Chief E.C. Wilson approached the camp surrounded by TV cameras, still cameras, tape recorders, and microphones, and of course, homeless residents. They stated peacefully that many talks between Port officials and Nickelsville residents have already taken place, that there was no other Port property available for the residents, and that now was the time for residents to leave.

There was an amicable question-and-answer portion between a few residents and Beckett, but he and Wilson finally said residents must leave or they would be arrested by Port police.

Three official warning announcements were made by an officer on a megaphone from his car, then more than 20 officers quietly entered the camp.

Charla Skaggs, Port media officer, told the West Seattle Herald that it was a trespassing case.

"The encampment also violates city of Seattle land use and shoreline use and the prohibition of camping," she said. "Some people here might have come in from other tent cities, which explains the swelling crowd."

"I have been a homeless advocate for over 30 years," said David Bloom, Seattle City Council candidate. "I have been involved with (the homeless advocacy group) SHARE/WHEEL and a supporter and advocate of tent cities. I was there before dawn a year ago when they were first evicted. I want to be here in support and solidarity.

"The real issue here, the sad part, is that in this society we shouldn't have to have tents, but as long as that is the situation I wish some agency would find a permanent plot of land for them. Homelessness is increasing, and the city has said in documents that interim survival mechanisms are necessary. That is exactly what a tent city is. Residents live in community in relative safety, and it serves as a base to go to jobs."

"Some of us are going to take the fall," said Greg Lewis, a Nickelsville resident and spokesperson who said he has a job remodeling kitchens. He decided himself to take the fall, to be arrested for trespassing, along with 11 others.

"I haven't been in trouble with the law in close to eight years," said Lewis. "I'm looking at getting housing. I still want this place to be around. It saved me. I'm going to be proactive in my own recovery efforts getting myself out of here. Other people deserve the same opportunity."

According to an update by Skaggs, The individuals were processed for identification, issued a written trespass warning, and released.
Encampment organizers announced shortly thereafter that St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Seattle would provide a temporary location for the encampment.

The Port of Seattle will store any belongings left behind. Encampment members were given information about how to reclaim their property.

The public park at Terminal 107 will remain closed temporarily while the port’s maintenance staff conducts necessary repairs.