Video: 'Nickelsville' campers must move again

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SEATTLE - Homeless advocates are still trying to figure out the next step for campers at the homeless encampment dubbed "Nickelsville."

After moving from city-owner property in South Seattle to state-owned property last week, the homeless campers moved again late Wednesday night, this time to Seattle's Discovery Park. The question is: Will they be able to stay there?

They got their answer Thursday afternoon: no.

Some of the homeless campers thought the new camp location site in Discovery Park is on tribal land, but it's not. It is city property, and it's exactly where Mayor Greg Nickels says they are not allowed to be. 

The evicted band of homeless people set up their third camp site next to the Day Break Star Indian Cultural Center in the park. They said they had permission to be there, but the United Indians said they had no idea the homeless were coming.

"I became aware when I saw it on the news and our security person called me right after that," said Marty Bluwater, Executive Director for United Indians.

The tribes lease the property from the Seattle Parks Department.

"Obviously we can't give them permission on city property," said Bluwater.

On Wednesday, the homeless marched to City Hall, but Mayor Nickels will only meet with them once they're off city property.

"I hope we're left alone and Nickels starts to understand," said Richard White, homeless. "And I hope he does not win at re-election."

The camp's name "Nickellsville" is a jab at Mayor Nickels, who has been cracking down on illegal homeless encampments throughout the city. The latest move caps more than a week of turmoil for the dozens of homeless, filled with warnings, evictions and arrests.

Some of the homeless have accepted the city's offer of shelters. Others claim, there are not enough beds for everyone.

They say they're working with landowners to find a permanent location for up to 1,000 homeless residents. But until then, they're setting the ground rules for yet another new tent city.

The campers had arrived at their South Seattle site last Thursday after being ordered off city land which stood just a few feet away.Their new site was on state land but within city limits, but the city said it was an illegal encampment and had to go.

Campers said they moved out of respect for Washington Governor Christine Gregoire.

Last Friday, the city claims 14 people accepted shelter referral cards but never showed up at the city shelter. Residents at "Nickelsville" dispute that claim.

Seattle's mayor says there will be no more tent cities and he calls on other cities to open up shelters because he says homelessness is a regional problem.