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Hi Bellingham, I'm downtown where the city and Bellingham Police started cleaning up a homeless encampment on the lawns City Hall and the library.
So far I can see sheriffs office, police and snipers on the roof of the courthouse.
City streets are blocked off. Protesters are holding a line.
City streets are blocked off. Protesters are holding a line.
There is an armored Whatcom County Sheriff's vehicle in front of the county courthouse.
Protesters are holding the line on Grand Ave and Lottie St. Police, sheriffs deputies are in riot gear. Protesters have used wooden pallets to block off the line in front of their bodies.
There's been some shoving between protesters and the officers.
There's been some shoving between protesters and the officers.
Campers are in the process of taking things down and people are helping campers load their belongings into vehicles, etc.
This encampment, Camp 210, started in November to protest the lack of shelter in the area for homeless people. Advocates and campers wanted shelter for everyone in the space before they left the occupied protest.
The city of Bellingham provided notice that they would clear the encampment by 4 pm on Friday, but showed up this morning with public works and law enforcement.
Here's the scene:
A protester is leading a call and answer chant of "Who do you protect, who do you serve?"
Follow @BhamHerald for rolling updates on today's breaking story.
Follow @BhamHerald for rolling updates on today's breaking story.
Protesters are now chanting "We protect people, you protect property."
Most of the protesters are dressed in black. There's probably about 60-80 people holding the line.
Most of the protesters are dressed in black. There's probably about 60-80 people holding the line.
So the people on the county courthouse building may be spotters, but they appear to be dressed in riot gear as well.
They also have officers stationed in city hall on the second floor, who have windows open.
They also have officers stationed in city hall on the second floor, who have windows open.
Protesters are now chanting "ACAB, all cops are bastards".
City public works are here as well. They are behind the line behind law enforcement. They have bulldozers.
Looks like US Customs and Border Protection officers are also on scene.
Looks like US Customs and Border Protection officers are also on scene.
One protester has a shield that reads "We dare defend our rights".
Several protesters have helmets and safety gear on.
Meanwhile, campers and residents are working on cleaning up the encampment.
Several protesters have helmets and safety gear on.
Meanwhile, campers and residents are working on cleaning up the encampment.
Here is @BhamHerald's rolling story. We will continue to update as we get more information.
I am on scene downtown today. https://bit.ly/3qVjxlW
I am on scene downtown today. https://bit.ly/3qVjxlW
More US Customs and Border Protection officers have arrived on scene.
Many protesters are calling law enforcement bastards, pussies, etc.
Many protesters are calling law enforcement bastards, pussies, etc.
The protesters on the line are now chanting "Show me what community looks like, this is what community looks like. Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground."
There are also large green trash dumpsters as well.
Many people are walking around and videotaping law enforcement.
Some people are helping other people clean up.
But about 80 people are holding the line in protest.
Many people are walking around and videotaping law enforcement.
Some people are helping other people clean up.
But about 80 people are holding the line in protest.
Here's the scene:
Bellingham City Council member Michael Lilliquist is here.
This is what's happening.
Border patrol is also reinforcing the line on Grand Ave.
This is what's happening.
Border patrol is also reinforcing the line on Grand Ave.
Protesters are yelling at Lilliquist to shut it down and also for Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood to come down.
People and volunteers are working to clear the encampment and help people with their belongings.
Protesters are still holding the line. Law enforcement with the Whatcom sheriffs office, bellingham police and US Customs and Border protection are here.
Protesters are still holding the line. Law enforcement with the Whatcom sheriffs office, bellingham police and US Customs and Border protection are here.
For context, this tent encampment on the lawns of Bham city hall and library started in Nov to protest the lack of available shelter for homeless people.
The city of Bham provided notice to clear the camp by 4 pm on Friday.
The city of Bham provided notice to clear the camp by 4 pm on Friday.
City public works and law enforcement showed up this morning to start clearing the encampment.
I am on scene downtown for @BhamHerald.
I am on scene downtown for @BhamHerald.
I'm now on the corner of Commercial St and Lottie St and protesters have created another line, blocking their bodies with wooden pallets. Bellingham police in riot gear are standing on the other side.
They are standing in front of a bulldozer that is on and removing things.
They are standing in front of a bulldozer that is on and removing things.
Here's the scene:
Here's what's happening. Protesters are reinforcing the line. Some are yelling at law enforcement saying "People are going to die because of you".
People are scrambling to help people clean up their belongings. City public works are putting things in plastic bags.
People are scrambling to help people clean up their belongings. City public works are putting things in plastic bags.
The scene:
Here's what's happening:
Someone approached and said the city was destroying their home.
A city dump truck was backing up and the man rolled in the middle underneath it. When the man popped up the other side, a police officer in green tactical gear tackled him to the ground.
A city dump truck was backing up and the man rolled in the middle underneath it. When the man popped up the other side, a police officer in green tactical gear tackled him to the ground.
The man was taken to the ground, his knees were pinned and they put a plastic handcuff on him. One officer did have his knee on the man's neck.
The man was yelling his handcuffs were too tight, protesters were yelling for the officer to remove his knee off the man's neck.
The man was yelling his handcuffs were too tight, protesters were yelling for the officer to remove his knee off the man's neck.
The man had been taken up the street on Grand Ave and arrested.
Trigger/content warning. Here is the scene.
The protesters have now reinforced the line and there's probably about 50 or so of them.
I'm back in the other side of city hall. There is still a protest line, of maybe around 50-60 people.
Things are quieter over here than the other side.
Progress is still being made on clearing the encampment.
It has also started to rain.
Things are quieter over here than the other side.
Progress is still being made on clearing the encampment.
It has also started to rain.
County Council member Tyler Byrd is here.
Some people are hugging while working on clearing the encampment.
There is spray paint on City Hall that reads "You sweep we strike" and "Kill cops".
Some people are hugging while working on clearing the encampment.
There is spray paint on City Hall that reads "You sweep we strike" and "Kill cops".
On top of the Whatcom County Civic Center Annex building.
I'm back on the right side of city hall. The protest line is chanting "ACAB, !
all cops are bastards."
I'm back on the right side of city hall. The protest line is chanting "ACAB, !
all cops are bastards."
Sorry, here's the scene on top of the county civic center annex building:
People, both homeless people and protesters, are saying the city is destroying people's homes.
There is also shouting about the date.
For context: The city of Bham provided notice this week to clear the encampment by Friday at 4 pm.
There is also shouting about the date.
For context: The city of Bham provided notice this week to clear the encampment by Friday at 4 pm.
Context cont.: Instead, law enforcement with the whatcom sheriffs office, Bellingham police, US Customs and Border Protection, and city public works showed up this morning to start clearing the encampment.
The encampment, camp 210, was set up in Nov. as a protest over the
The encampment, camp 210, was set up in Nov. as a protest over the
Context cont: lack of shelter for homeless people in the area. Residents and advocates wanted safe shelter for all residents staying at Camp 210 before the encampment was ended.
The protesters are now chanting "We protect people, you protect people."
Many protesters are shouting "fuck you" to law enforcement.
Protesters are also saying the cops get to go home to their warm beds, and asking where the homeless residents at Camp 210 are supposed to go.
Many protesters are shouting "fuck you" to law enforcement.
Protesters are also saying the cops get to go home to their warm beds, and asking where the homeless residents at Camp 210 are supposed to go.
Here's the scene. The officers on the line are Bellingham Police.
Here's the scene:
The city public works has mostly cleaned the right side of City Hall. There is still a bulldozer cleaning the lawn.
Some public works people are sweeping the sidewalk.
Protesters are chanting "This is what community looks like".
Some public works people are sweeping the sidewalk.
Protesters are chanting "This is what community looks like".
The protesters are now chanting "no justice, no peace, no racist police."
I'm on scene downtown today. Please check @BhamHerald's rolling story online for updates. We're updating as fast as we can get information.
I'm on scene downtown today. Please check @BhamHerald's rolling story online for updates. We're updating as fast as we can get information.
Here's the scene:
A man has now started yelling at the protesters. He's saying "they've been told to fucking go."
Another man is also yelling at them and saying people should go to Base Camp.
Protesters are saying that Base Camp doesn't work for everyone as a shelter.
Another man is also yelling at them and saying people should go to Base Camp.
Protesters are saying that Base Camp doesn't work for everyone as a shelter.
Things have quieted down. Volunteers are still helping the residents of Camp 210 clean up their belongings. Protesters are still holding the line. I am still on scene.
Law enforcement in camouflage and tactical gear are now creating a line in front of the courthouse on Grand Ave and Lottie St. The whatcom sheriffs office armored vehicle is running now.
Protesters are still holding the line on both sides. There's about 50-60 on Grand Ave.
Protesters are still holding the line on both sides. There's about 50-60 on Grand Ave.
Here's the scene:
Here's the scene:
Most of the tents on the Bellingham City Hall lawn and Bellingham public library lawn have been removed.
Lots of volunteers are helping people take tents down/gather belongings and load them into trucks.
Lots of volunteers are helping people take tents down/gather belongings and load them into trucks.
I'm hearing that some people are moving to Civic Field. There is currently a tiny home encampment, Swift Haven, on the Frank Geri Fields.
So far the city has only used a bulldozer on the right hand side of City Hall, on Commercial.
While things are being taken down by volunteers and residents themselves, the city public works crew has not used a bulldozer on the Grand Ave side of City Hall.
While things are being taken down by volunteers and residents themselves, the city public works crew has not used a bulldozer on the Grand Ave side of City Hall.
Protesters have been holding a line on the Grand Ave side for several hours now.
On the Commercial St side of City Hall, there is a small group of three people (including the man from before, another man and a woman with a dog) who are yelling at the protesters and saying there is room at Base Camp shelter.
There is tactical law enforcement officers in the windows of City Hall.
The woman with the dog does not have a mask on.
Protesters are now yelling at the group of three people to get out.
Protesters are now yelling at the group of three people to get out.
The protesters have moved the protest line, with their wooden pallet shelters, back on Commercial St, so they're closer to Lottie St.
Law enforcement/police have moved their line forward too.
Law enforcement/police have moved their line forward too.
The bulldozers on Commercial have started again.
The group who was yelling at the protesters are now laughing at the scene.
Here's the scene:
The group who was yelling at the protesters are now laughing at the scene.
Here's the scene:
Someone is now leading a call and answer chant of "Show me what community looks like, this is what community looks like. ACAB, all cops are bastards."
Another person is saying "Hold your ground and protect your neighbors".
Some younger kids are now arguing with some of the protesters.
A protester has removed a metal "no parking" post/sign and it's now sitting on top of the wooden pallet blockade.
Some younger kids are now arguing with some of the protesters.
A protester has removed a metal "no parking" post/sign and it's now sitting on top of the wooden pallet blockade.
On the Grand Ave side the protest line has moved to block Lottie St.
People are shouting to hold the line.
Border protection and tactical officers looks like they have arrested someone else.
People are shouting to hold the line.
Border protection and tactical officers looks like they have arrested someone else.
Some law enforcement are pulling pallet shelters from the protesters.
The sheriffs office armored vehicle is moving.
Some people are shouting "we need more time".
As far as I know, at least two people have been arrested today.
The sheriffs office armored vehicle is moving.
Some people are shouting "we need more time".
As far as I know, at least two people have been arrested today.
Here's the scene:
More chants of "Fuck 12, we don't do what they want," and "ACAB".
Here's the scene:
Here's the scene:
There's probably around 100 protesters or so, and they've made a blockade with wooden pallets on the intersection of Grand Ave and Lottie St.
This is on top of the courthouse:
It looks Washington State Patrol has now shown up on scene.
The protesters are chanting "we're not tired."
The protesters are chanting "we're not tired."
Here's the scene:
From behind the protest line:
Volunteers and campers are working on taking down tents and gathering belongings on the lawn of city hall.
Protesters are now yelling at law enforcement.
Protesters are now yelling at law enforcement.
Here's the scene:
A man is calling the protesters disgraceful and said that they should have "cleaned this shit up."
The man then said he had a home because he worked.
The protesters are now yelling at the man.
The man then said he had a home because he worked.
The protesters are now yelling at the man.
I'm downtown on scene for @BhamHerald. Follow our rolling story for updates. We're gathering information as fast as we can.
About 50 people are still holding the line on Commercial St with wooden pallet shelters.
About 50-75 people are on the protest line at Grand Ave and Lottie St.
There is a large police presence on Grand Ave.
About 50-75 people are on the protest line at Grand Ave and Lottie St.
There is a large police presence on Grand Ave.
I'm seeing Bellingham police, whatcom sheriffs deputies, US Customs and Border Protection, and potentially State Patrol on Grand Ave.
The protesters are now chanting "we're not tired".
A group of cops are now going inside the county courthouse building.
A group of cops are now going inside the county courthouse building.
Some people have brought their dogs down to the scene. I've seen at least three today.
