Before I start I just want to say thank you to all the Kossack's who have reached out to me. Just this evening the community has staved off my eviction by providing me with enough funds so that I can pay my back rent. I am greatful beyong belief and don't know quite how to feel right now.
Thank you - I will continue to occupy into the winter and I hope you will join me.
If anyone wishes to spend the night within my little bubble tent then I welcome the company. Any Kossack is a brother or sister to me right now and I am touched.
Below is a bit of the stuff we have had to deal with living down there. Please keep reading.
A few nights ago I was out at Occupy Wallstreet and it rained. Now rain has been a common presence down on Wallstreet and we have been enduring all the elements from wind to a constant police presence. I don't mind the wind so much.
Now I have managed to stay dry with my camping arrangement. Basically I have laid down a ground tarp - then piled cloth on top of it - then clothing - then two yoga mats - then a sleeping bag - then rolled up the sides and placed weights on it - then placed my pack in the corner with my shoes - then placed two or three unbrellas together forming a small bubble - then covering a bigger tarp over and tucking it under the sides - sealing it in - then taking a space blanket and laying it on the inside on top of a wool blanket.
I have been warm.
I can not say the same for everyone down at the park.
I have seen people wake up in puddles, with all their belongings soaked. I have seen people take shelter in the subways down at wallstreet only to be kicked out by the police. I have seen people in the early morning shivering with only a space blanket around their bodies. I do not know how they do it. I feel privledged at times in my little bubble and hauling around the 60 pounds on my back has started to get me into the best shape I've been in since I was a teenager.
Now there are very few creature comforts down at the park. The comfort station has supplied me with a stead stream of fresh socks when I have been unable or unwilling to leave the park. Burger King has provided me with free wi-fi because the media desk is filled to the brim with people and frankly I'm just a blogger down here holding signs, rolling cigarettes, and engaging in conversation with my fellow occupiers.
Now - As I was saying - It rained a few days ago - I woke up at 5 am and decided I wasn't going to go back to sleep and that my interests would be be served getting a cup of coffee at Mcdonalds.
I left my stuff where it was and proceeded down the street. If you have been down there you will see a Bank of America on the corner near the Mcdonalds. I peered inside and saw a large group of occupiers who had been soaked to the bone huddling inside. I decided to go inside and get warm for a bit because Mcdonalds was closed for cleaning at the time.
Standing in the lobby were people with grim faces with space blankets wrapped tightly about their bodies. I recognized some of the squatter kids who had not prepared for this weather and they looked miserable. Sparking an early conversation was easy and the guy from 1010 wins - a local new york radio channel popped in to asked our thoughts about Mayor Bloomberg evicting us.
Some of the occupiers responded with calls that he was "Fox" news and not to talk to him. Being a local I recognized his voice and told him I'd answer his questions outside.
I told him that the park was the cleanest one in all the state and that if we were forced to leave I hope it would be peacefully and only if we were allowed to return a few hours later.
As you know that event never happened and I am thankful it did not.
Though after that night - and every night after since Bank of America has decided to be the big job creaters that they are and hire a security guard to keep people out of the lobby.
Did you get that? They have created 1 single job down in wallstreet just to fuck with people who are trying to take shelter from the storm. I've seen the guy there every night and it pisses me off. It's a lobby - you keep the lights on all night wasting eletricity but the second someone with a space blanket doesn't want to die out in the elements you hire a guy to keep them out.
Fuck you bank of America - You know what - Fuck you.
It goes beyond just them hiring a security guard though. If you have been down there you will know that we have been using the local Mcdonalds to go to the bathroom. They so far have been far better than BurgerKing in regards to letting people use their facilities. Everytime I am in there I at least buy a coffee or something small as to continue to generate then good will they have shown.
They should be ashamed though.
When we first started occupying there was one socket in the entire Mcdonalds that was not covered. It was near the front and to the right with a little table to sit by. People would take turns charging their cell phones there or plug their labtops in for a little bit of juce. However Mcdonalds has decided people who pay money in their establishment and use a mere fraction of the electricity they waste on a daily basis has to be stopped. This evening my phone was dying and I was looking for an outlet to plug into before I get set up for bed.
Well this is the very same outlet that for over a week had been keeping my phone alive when I had no other place at night to charge it.
They sealed the socket. They freaking sealed the socket. Why would you do something so cruel to your customers. Starbucks might not be the best place in the world but at least they allow you access to a plug when you are in need.
Why do they have to be so damned petty? Why? Ugh -
This is how I feel right now:
It's petty and a shitty way to act. I expected this from BoA - I did not expect this from Mcdonalds which MUST be turning a profit since they have long lines even at 4 am. Ugh - I am going to head to bed now.
Good night from Occupywallstreet and I hope to see you down there - if only in spirit as well. Thank you DailyKos.
Thank you.