Revel Smith, a spokesperson for the homeless encampment Nickelsville, released an update about its dealing's with the Port of Seattle, which has asked the tent city to leave its property at Terminal 107 Park in West Seattle.

It's been on Port property at 4700 West Marginal Way S.W. for about two weeks after the state transportation department asked it to leave a previous location on property it owns in South Park.

Here is the letter from Smith:

"On July 31, a random 14 Nickelsville residents, as well as Veterans For Peace Chapter 92, were served eviction papers. A written response is due by Tuesday, August 11. On Thursday, August 13th, each person named and served appear, as individuals, before King County Superior Court Judge, Paris K. Kallas.

The Port’s new strategy targets Nickelsville’s residents individually, not as one encampment. Many residents are working or disabled and saving-up credit check fees and deposits. Even Mayor Nickels’ homeless sweeps don’t directly impact people’s rental history for obtaining future housing.

If this landlord/tenant style eviction is allowed, the King County Sheriff removes Nickelsville and eviction citations become part of each person’s rental history. This will severely jeopardize Nickelsville residents chances of getting future housing.

The state has come forward since, denying Port of Seattle’s claims in their July 24 press release. The State Auditor himself directly told the Speaker of the House for the Washington State House of Representatives that nothing in the Audit prohibited the Port from helping Nickelsville at T-107. (see attached)

In a private meeting Aug. 6, the Church Council of Greater Seattle, the Duwamish Tribe, the Lutheran Public Policy Institute of Washington State, Representative Sharon Nelson, the Chief of State for the Speaker of the Washington State House of Representatives and several Nickelodeons met with the Port of Seattle at the Duwamish Longhouse.

The Port was presented with two contracts, one with the Duwamish and one directly with Nickelsville’s financial sponsor - Veterans for Peace Chapter 92. Both contracts have the same format, terms and conditions that were acceptable to both the Port and the State Auditor when used by SHARE and the Port from 2001 to 2005.

Port Commissioners meet this Tuesday. Nickelsville is asking everyone to please call the Port of Seattle at (206) 728-3034 and tell our Commissioners to “do what is right and legal by signing the order to let Nickelsville stay.

Nickelsville thanks House Speaker Chopp, Representative Nelson, Chairperson Hansen of the Duwamish, the Lutheran Public Policy Institute, the Church Council and the people of Seattle for their support."

For additional information go to nickelsvilleseattle.org.