SEATTLE - The homeless camp dubbed "Nickelsville" faces another deadline today.
The state has ordered campers to clear out of their current site on Port of Seattle Property along West Marginal Way.
The port says the camp is there illegally. They've asked residents to leave voluntarily, and those who do not will be subject to arrest.
Many of the campers have begun packing up, but some say they will stay and get arrested if necessary to call attention to the plight of the homeless here in Seattle.
There are roughly 80 residents at Nickelsville. They've been camping on Port of Seattle land for two months.
Nickelsville - named for outgoing Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels - is a living, breathing protest against what many see as the failed policies of the administration to help the city's homeless find permanent housing. With two tent cities and all local shelters routinely full - homeless here are pushing the issue by defying the law and setting up their own independent camps.
They say having a self-policed safe place to sleep at night is at least a partial solution.
"If anybody wants the homeless to get back on their feet and become productive members of society, leave them alone to do that," said Anitra Freeman, advocate for the homeless.
John Christienson works temp jobs about 20 hours a week to make his way to a trucking job in Alaska.
"The normal people on the outside see us as all drug addicts, and I'm not saying that doesn't happen, but there's a lot of people out there right now who are just one paycheck away from being right where I'm at," Christienson said.
Homeless advocates are here trying to find people some temporary housing at motels and churches.
We've been told some will refuse to leave in protest.
Police are standing by and ready for that.
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