Upset homeless set up camp outside Nickels' home
SEATTLE -- Some 40 homeless people set up camp outside Mayor Greg Nickels' home on Monday night, insistent on being heard.
The campers say they may be homeless, but they will not be ignored. And with their sleeping bags in tow, they came ready to stay.
"As long as it takes to get our $50,000 for our bus tickets," said Randy Douglas.
SHARE, a nonprofit group for the homeless, received $300,00 from the city for 2009. But the group says its money ran out when the Metro bus fare went up. And as a result of the higher fare, group is short some16,000 free bus tickets.
On Monday Metro bus doors closed on the homeless trying get back to 15 shelters and two tent cities scattered between South Seattle and Kirkland.
"The bus driver simply said, 'No - no if, ands or buts about it.' He just blatantly said, 'No,"' said Shawn, a homeless camper.
"Imagine doing strenuous labor all day long, not being able to get on a bus and go home to rest so you can do the same thing the next day, just so you can get yourself out of this position," said shelter facilitator Ron Wilson.
Denied bus rides home, the group opted for a slumber party on the mayor's sidewalk. The group may be just outside his window, but the mayor appeared to be unaffected by the display.
"There's a time and a place for discussions and the sidewalk tonight is neither the time or the place," said Alex Fryer of the mayor's office.
The mayor's office says it understands the domino effect of a sour economy, but the office has been holding up its end of the deal. The camp out is no more than a publicity stunt, the office said.
"This group had some financial difficulties, and they're looking at the biggest target that they can. That is the city. It's unfortunate. We've been good partners with them," Fryer said.
The group is slated to receive another $300,000 next year.
The campers say they may be homeless, but they will not be ignored. And with their sleeping bags in tow, they came ready to stay.
"As long as it takes to get our $50,000 for our bus tickets," said Randy Douglas.
SHARE, a nonprofit group for the homeless, received $300,00 from the city for 2009. But the group says its money ran out when the Metro bus fare went up. And as a result of the higher fare, group is short some16,000 free bus tickets.
On Monday Metro bus doors closed on the homeless trying get back to 15 shelters and two tent cities scattered between South Seattle and Kirkland.
"The bus driver simply said, 'No - no if, ands or buts about it.' He just blatantly said, 'No,"' said Shawn, a homeless camper.
"Imagine doing strenuous labor all day long, not being able to get on a bus and go home to rest so you can do the same thing the next day, just so you can get yourself out of this position," said shelter facilitator Ron Wilson.
Denied bus rides home, the group opted for a slumber party on the mayor's sidewalk. The group may be just outside his window, but the mayor appeared to be unaffected by the display.
"There's a time and a place for discussions and the sidewalk tonight is neither the time or the place," said Alex Fryer of the mayor's office.
The mayor's office says it understands the domino effect of a sour economy, but the office has been holding up its end of the deal. The camp out is no more than a publicity stunt, the office said.
"This group had some financial difficulties, and they're looking at the biggest target that they can. That is the city. It's unfortunate. We've been good partners with them," Fryer said.
The group is slated to receive another $300,000 next year.