Notorious Ship Canal Encampment Finally Cleared After Months of Pressure from Community

Breaking

Gonna be a busy week for the Washington State Dept. of Transportation. Along with the #Chinatown-ID sweep, state will finally clear the notorious Ship Canal Bridge homeless encampment on MONDAY. It’s also been the scene of multiple fires, deaths, drug overdoses, fights, and other crimes. It’s right across the street from the John Stanford Int. School. Parents held a protest earlier this month to call out Governor Jay Insee (@GovInslee), @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones, and other WSDOT (@wsdot) officials for allowing this encampment to remain in place for so long. #Seattle @wastatecommerce @mayorofseattle @seattlecouncil @KCCouncil @kcexec

Major Protest

Earlier this month, parents and neighbors launched a demonstration targeting Gov. Jay Inslee for allowing the Ship Canal Bridge homeless encampment to spiral out of control in #Seattle‘s Wallingford. If the Gov. doesn’t follow through, parents said they wanted Mayor Bruce Harrell to step in and take control.

Meanwhile, FAR-LEFT activists with Stop The Sweeps Seattle launched a counter-protest in front of the encampment but did not clash with parents. Instead, Tim Emerson with @weheartseattle says one of the activists assaulted him and prevented We Heart Seattle volunteers from picking up trash and doing outreach today. Turf war between these two groups continues over ideology. ONLY IN SEATTLE

Feeling the Pressure

After parents at John Stanford International School announced plans earlier this month to protest the notorious Ship Canal Bridge encampment across the street, Gov. Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) made an impromptu visit to the school and spoke to parents and school leaders to appease their concerns. Protest went on anyway. Parents are now wondering how the state will keep this area fenced off.

Stunning Rebuke

WA state lawmakers like @AKB1968 picking apart @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones and his “wrong” interpretation of @GovInslee‘s Right of Way Initiative. Dones’ insistence on “permanent housing” delayed King County encampment sweeps. Think about all the unintended consequences this caused.

Final Word

Last month,

@GovInslee confirmed proviso language DOES NOT require offers of “permanent housing ” to homeless on state right of ways. DIRECT rebuke of @KC_RHA CEO Marc Dones’ interpretation. Notice right after this, WSDOT has announced three massive sweeps coming up in #Seattle.

Dones Responds

During @KC_RHA Governing Committee meeting in February, CEO Dones walked back his recent statements about encampment outreach and “permanent housing” as a requirement. He addressed the and NOW says congregate shelters are still an option. #Seattle