The city of Seattle cleared out two homeless encampments in preparation for Joe Biden’s visit.
Approximately 15 homeless people were displaced by Democrat Mayor Bruce Harrell to make sure the area looked nice for the president on his Earth Day visit.
This encampment was suddenly cleared — and this is from before it got especially bad. pic.twitter.com/rCVXYjqBkk
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) April 21, 2022
Jamie Housen, spokesperson for the mayor’s office, told the Seattle Times that the encampments were cleared “so that the city could close the streets and limit access to sidewalks to ensure the safety of the president.”
The homeless people were given two days to move their belongings or have them trashed by Seattle Parks and Recreation.
“Housen said that nine tents and shelter structures were removed from Virginia Street to Olive Way between Sixth and Fifth avenues. Three people staying there left on their own and four others were referred to shelter by the city’s encampment outreach team,” the Seattle Times reported. “Four tents were removed between Lenora and Virginia streets, from Fifth Avenue to Fourth Avenue. Four people there left voluntarily and two others were referred to shelters.”
The city removed several other encampments as well, but claimed that those ones did not have anything to do with Biden’s visit.
Executive director of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness Alison Eisinger blasted the city for covering up the homeless problem that the city is facing. She also claimed that the forced relocations can cause disruptions in social services that the homeless people are recieving.
“Attempting to justify these harmful actions because of a presidential visit is shameful,” Eisinger said.
In September, the Biden administration launched an initiative pushing cities to take their homeless problems more seriously.
Bloomberg News reported at the time, “with ‘House America,’ the administration of President Joe Biden is asking leaders of city, county, state and tribal governments across the U.S. to make a public pledge to reduce homelessness. In turn, the federal government will provide guidance and support to achieve two goals: providing permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness and building new affordable units for those on the brink.”
