SEATTLE (AP) — Real Change newspaper and other organizations trying to end homelessness have sued the city of Seattle after they were denied a permit for an event.
The groups wanted permission to have homeless people camp out at Westlake Park next Tuesday night to urge greater economic justice and emergency services. The city has maintained that Westlake isn’t an appropriate venue for camping.
Real Change director Tim Harris says the city offered to allow the groups to set up three symbolic tents overnight with no one inside — but Harris says that wasn’t good enough.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court Thursday. It claims the permit denial violates the groups’ free speech and due process rights.
