Occupy Wall Street, Fighting the Snow, Wind and Cold, During Rare October Storm
October 29th weather forecast in New York City. Historic and rare October Nor'easter: snow, sleet, wind. Temperature range around 35 degrees during the day, 32 degrees overnight. Wind chill makes it feel like 23 degrees. Snow accumulations could be two inches. Winds at 20-30 mph, wind gusts could be 40 mph. (Weather Channel)
But "neither snow nor sleet nor rain nor hail" are stopping the Occupy Wall Street protestors at Zuccotti Park. (New York Times) Today, they attempted, despite all odds, to remain warm and dry in the rare October storm which blasted through their environs, whipping tents and tree branches and dumping mixtures of sleet and wet snow on their already wet heads. And they are doing the same in the evening which has been forecast to be colder, snowier and windier.
Shivering in the wet, I walked through Zuccotti, umbrella overhead, camera at the ready, picking up snatches of conversation here and there. One young man covered in a yellow slicker and hoodie discussed how he was born in the protests of the feminist movement, his mother taking him to marches and sit-ins. He was used to activism and appreciated its power. When asked where his mother was now, he responded that she was out west and had "gotten religion." He said he didn't own property and lived with friends in Florida. He said he was at Zuccotti protesting because, "He was pissed."
Walking along the pathway under tarps and between the tents where protestors had sought an uncomfortable shelter from the relentless blustering wind and damp, I saw organizers moving to and fro reminding the occupiers to check up on their neighbors to make sure they were doing OK. A medical tent had been set up to help those who might be overcome by the cold or who had other issues that needed attention .Others stood getting coffee and food. It was remarkable to me that they had the stamina and the courage to be there. Their presence heartened me, yet I was worried for them in such conditions.
I bumped into folks moving on the pathway. All were courteous to "the stranger." They wanted to be there, despite conditions and had prepared themselves for taking this stand, regardless: "neither snow, nor sleet, nor hail, nor wind, nor cold." Some were attempting to clean areas. Others were delivering boards and other materials so that they wouldn't have to place sleeping bags on wet concrete. Water was running everywhere, it seemed.
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