Washington police arrested at least 12 people who occupied an Olympia hotel in an alleged attempt to “take control of the hotel by force” and demand that local authorities provide housing to the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic, according to local reports.
Olympia police have arrested at least a dozen homeless activists who would belong to the Oly Housing Now group, reported King 5 news station. The group of approximately 45 people stormed the Downtown Olympia Red Lion Hotel around 11 am local time. Sunday “armed with items like hatchets, batons, knives and had gas masks, helmets and goggles apparently in preparation for a confrontation,” the city announced in a subsequent press release.
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE
Olympia officials said 40 hotel rooms were reserved by passersby at the time of the apparent acquisition.
HOMELESS ACTIVISTS OCCUPY WASHINGTON STATE HOTEL IN APPARENT ATTEMPT OF TAKING, AT LEAST 7 IN CUSTODY: REPORT
“Before the occupation, the activist group had booked 17 rooms, which were occupied by people currently homeless at the time of the occupation,” said the city.
A hotel employee was beaten during the acquisition, while others sought refuge in the building’s basement, KING reported. People in the group crossed the two floors of the hotel and reportedly covered the windows with dark-colored tarps.
LA OFFICIALS WITHOUT HOUSE PAY BETTER THAN MEMBERS OF THE CASA BRANCA CABINET As the crisis continues to escalate
Passersby took shelter in their rooms, the city said.
The police obtained a conspiracy search warrant to commit theft, theft and trespassing, and a SWAT team was called to the scene.
The charges against the 12 people were not immediately specified. It was not clear whether more people would be charged.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Fox News’s David Aaro contributed to this report.