Port of Seattle officials expressed regret that some members of the homeless encampment known as ‘Nickelsville’ have thus far refused to voluntarily leave port property at Terminal 107 in West Seattle, according to a release from the Port Sept. 30.

The group set up the encampment on port property without permission and has been at the public park illegally for 69 days. The group’s presence violates city land use and shoreline codes as well as prohibitions against camping and lighting fires within the city of Seattle.

In addition, the Port of Seattle does not have the authority to provide land for housing or housing purposes.

Nickelsville organizers and residents have been given multiple warnings that if they did not leave by Sept. 30, they would be subject to arrest for trespassing. Many residents are choosing to leave, seeking help from resources offered throughout the county.

Encampment organizers issued invitations Tuesday to other tent cities across the region to join with them in choosing to be arrested to send a political message about the larger issue of homelessness in our community. While the port respects the right to civil disobedience, encampment members have been asked repeatedly to leave voluntarily.

“The port has worked diligently with Nickelsville and community leaders to find safe and legal options for the residents,” said Chief Executive Officer Tay Yoshitani. “Our first concern remains the health and safety of the men and women of the camp, and I’m relieved to hear that many of the original residents are now using our community’s network of shelters and support services.”

Port commissioners and staff members have worked for more than two months with members of the Nickelsville leadership, its supporters, and members of the faith community to facilitate efforts to find safe and legal shelter for those individuals who want it, according to the Port. Instead, Nickelsville organizers have pursued a permanent site with plans for hundreds of people.

Over the past year, both the state and the city have rejected their request for permanent sites, and the city of Seattle has communicated repeatedly that a permanent Nickelsville encampment will not be allowed.

Despite consistent communication from the port that their presence was illegal and would not be tolerated, as recently as Monday organizers reiterated their request to stay an additional 90 days and their desire to extend that agreement on an ongoing basis.

The port has repeatedly stated that the Terminal 107 public park is not an appropriate location for housing or an encampment. Independent of the numerous code violations, there are not acceptable human services and hygiene facilities and lacks access to public transportation.