Menino Urges Protesters To Use "Common Sense" And Go Inside For Storm
BOSTON (CBS/AP) – The Nor'easter this weekend may test the resolve of the Occupy Boston protesters.
They knew they would see cold weather, just not this early. The city is telling the protesters that they are on their own.
Mayor Menino has urged the protesters to seek sturdier shelter, but most are respectfully declining. The city has spent 72 hours warning those in Dewey Square that heavy rains, wet snow and strong winds might breed misery in tent city.
Menino, who has been supportive of the protests says, "It's gonna be a nasty night and we hope they use some common sense and go inside."
WBZ-TV's Ken MacLeod reports
On Friday some volunteers went tent to tent to help each the occupants winterize their camp. Some were handing out free wool hats.
A winterization committee has been set up that will try to obtain super-insulated sleeping bags and other winter survival gear. Activists from the movement's flagship encampment, consisting of hundreds of people in New York City's Zuccotti Park, are sorting through packages arriving daily that include coats and jackets.
Eric Martin, who is on Occupy Boston's winterization committee, said the group had raised about $35,000, which could help buy winter supplies. Various ideas are being discussed to keep tents warm without using combustion-based heaters, which are forbidden.
The city says they won't touch any tents unless they blow into the street and block traffic.
The protesters have spoken with some churches and homeless shelters about emergency bunk space if needed.
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