The weather outside may be frightful, but Occupy Boston protesters are attempting to stand strong and stay warm as winter approaches.
Occupants at Dewey Square experienced this year’s first dusting of snow on Saturday, prompting protesters to jump-start provisions to weather-proof their ‘Occupods’ for the months ahead. Many of the protest’s organizers have dubbed this process “winterization.”
K. Eric Martin, a volunteer for Occupy Boston’s logistics and winterization groups, said that they will be gathering materials and supplies such as rubber boots, wool socks, heavy-duty weather suits and polypropylene thermal underwear.
Occupy Boston will also educate members about beating the cold, Martin said. He is confident that Occupy Boston will receive enough donations to allow their protesters survive the winter.
Protester Daniel McCarey, who is involved with the Outreach Committee, said that Occupy Boston plans to reach out to supporters with a background in architecture and planning for input.
A few tents fell apart on site during the snowstorm, but Occupy Boston came together to help rebuild them, according to an update on Occupy Boston’s official Facebook page.
“Saturday was a real wake-up call,” said protester Andrews Claude. “It was windy, cold and wet.”
Martin said that the occupation’s General Assembly approved a proposal to allot $5,000 toward purchasing weatherproof tents for the winter.
“The general feeling on camp is supportive of buying tents,” he said.
With colder weather also comes a higher demand for warm food to feed hungry occupants.
There was a constant supply of hot food being donated during the snowstorm, according to the Occupy Boston Facebook page.
“We’re also working with some of the food trucks in the area,” Martin said. “A lot of food companies in the area have been very charitable towards the occupation.”
Occupy Boston is accepting monetary donations both online and at Dewey Square to pay for warm clothes and winterization gear, McCarey said. Their Twitter account, @OccupyBoston, has also helped them seek out supplies from people with surpluses to offer.
“My philosophy is: Give us your old and get yourself new,” Claude said.
Claude said surviving the season will be hard because many of the occupants are not winter campers.
“They have no idea what they’re getting themselves into,” he said.
Boston Fire Department spokesperson Steve MacDonald said that the city has had an ongoing dialogue with Occupiers concerning heating methods. Bonfires, kerosene heaters, trash burning and fire pits are not permitted in Dewey Square, he said.
“Boston doesn’t allow open flames anywhere in the city,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald said that generators are also not permitted inside enclosed spaces because they are gas-powered motors that need to be vented properly.
Martin said that Occupiers have been researching possibilities for off-site heating, including hot rocks to bring back to camp to provide warmth.
Despite the fact that Mayor Thomas Menino said the city would not provide any special services to protesters attempting to brave the winter weather, protesters said that they do not need the city’s resources.
“We are a people’s movement and all of our assistance is from concerned citizens who support our cause,” McCarey said. “We need only their support to continue on during the cold months.”
Occupiers do not have a positive or negative reaction to Menino’s statement, he said.
Occupy Boston will be hosting an official “Winterizing” meeting on Nov. 3 at 9 p.m. in Dewey Square.
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