Seattle Homeless Protest by Camping Outside Mayor's Home

by Dominic Mapstone · 2009-09-28 19:59:00 UTC
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It's not a good time to be Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle. Right this moment, homeless folks in the city are taking their complaints to his doorstep... literally. Tonight, homeless people are camping outside the home of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and other city councilors to protest the imminent sweeping of Nickelsville.

They have a number of grievances that Mayor Nickels is about to be intimately and uncomfortably made aware of. The old ‘you thought we were messing about' saying on the street applies in this situation. Because, no this group of homeless people obviously isn't messing about and they will speak up in protest for help and they are taking the fight to the very front door step of politicians homes.

Normally I would protest this protest and argue that an ethical organization should not put clients in the  front line demonstration, particularly when that demonstration may end with people being arrested. But in this case, the group protesting and speaking their mind aren't representing a homeless organization run by the typical suspects, but are a coalition of self-advocates... the homeless people themselves.

Yes, this take-to-the-streets, grassroots, in-your-face protest is 100% organized and executed by homeless people who want their voices to be heard. There was a build up and coverage of the plans of Seattle Homeless to protest in the Homelessness Forums.

Of course, the irony here cannot be lost. If each of those involved in the protest is arrested, they will be given shelter in a prison and three square meals a day. Seattle Mayor Nickels has a decision to make: imprison homeless people or listen to what they have to say?

Tonight, my comrades and I from around the world who believe in a person's right to housing stand in solidarity with involved in this demonstration.

Check here for the most up to date details of the situation as it unfolds from the perspective of the Seattle homeless protesters.

Image from dprevite's public photo stream on Flickr.

Dominic Mapstone is the director of Rebeccas Community, an Australian non-profit, and admin at the International Homeless Forum.
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