In a recent interview with U2, one band member said that, without the band, the four members wouldn't hang out together as they are very different people; they are united by the band's purpose.
At 4:33 p.m., Nickelsville had officially left the UCUCC location. On the left is Pastor Catherine Foote's truck and trailer. Pastor Foote had helped with the move all day long and yet went back to work on other church matters. On the right is the dumpster that serviced the encampment and would soon to be removed. In only a few hours, this site will revert back to its original purpose as a parking lot.
Nickelsville is much like U2: folks from a variety of places, together for a variety of reasons, who likely wouldn't spend time together if they didn't have a need for housing, security, sanitation, and a sense of community. Nickelsville is their home, and a highly visible one given the fuchsia tents it's synonymous with.
Given the restrictions of Seattle land-use law, Nickelsville is a transient home. Thurs., March 6 was moving day, and I photographed the operation from wake-up call at 5:30 a.m. to the last departure from the U District at 4:38 p.m., when the 90-day home reverted to its former use as a parking lot.
There were many touching moments during the day, not least of which came from Pastor Catherine Foote. Even though her church had gone out on a limb to host Nickelsville, Pastor Foote was genuinely saddened to see its residents leave.