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The Pedestrian Interference Ordinance makes it illegal to sit, lie down, sell things or ask for money within 6 feet of a downtown Olympia building.

OLYMPIA - A group of homeless people and their advocates have set up "Camp Quixote," a tent city in the heart of downtown Olympia.

Alice Otto does not want to break the law, she simply wants attention.

"More city officials and government officials opening their hearts to the truly downtrodden," she said.

It all started on Feb. 1, the same day a new ordinance went into effect. The Pedestrian Interference Ordinance makes it illegal to sit, lie down, sell things or ask for money within 6 feet of a downtown Olympia building.

These people feel it unfairly targets the homeless.

"We just decided we had no other options and we had to do something drastic," said Mike Kellegrew.

But is it effective? For the past four days city residents have been watching.

"I don't think it will do a whole lot. I think they're pretty much wasting their time," said Russell Brunner.

"I think we should grant the people what they want, I mean we should give them a piece of property," said Cody Simmons.

Ultimately, a piece of property to call their own is exactly what the group wants for a permanent tent city. They also want to see an end to the new ordinance.

Olympia city officials say they won't interfere with the protest through the weekend, but on Monday they will reassess the situation.

"So we give them a time to be heard, a time to have their protest, and then in turn we expect when they've had a reasonable time to do that they'll move on," said Cathie Butler, City of Olympia spokesperson.