OWS Protesters Get Wet In Zuccotti, But May Soon Be Reality TV Stars
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was a wet day for the occupiers of Wall Street who are camped out in Zuccotti Park as rain moved through the area. It turns out they weren't alone. It seems Hollywood is lurking.
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Blue tarps and soggy sleeping bags packed the park Wednesday as the sometimes heavy rain poured down on the protesters.
New Yorker Paul Spitz, who said he's been camping out in Zuccotti most nights, said he thinks the weather can unite.
"This wonderful American movement has no intention of moving, even when the rain comes down," he said. "We look to each other, it pulls us together. A pat on the shoulder, a hug, there's something about the collective nature of something when it just may be right that inspires us to just hang in there and start the new day."
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But others who work in the neighborhood were hoping the wet weather will drive some of the demonstrators away.
"I can't wait for rain or snow," said one man.
The protesters mostly used the tarps to shield their campsites from the rain, but early in the morning, volunteers were bailing out water that had pooled in areas of the camp.
Jason Bogart from Bushwick spent the morning handing out rain gear.
"Ponchos, umbrellas, big umbrellas, warm sweaters, plastic bags," he said. "Help them store their stuff so that the water doesn't seep in."
If they can weather the rain and hold on for ten more days, the protesters could be in the new Batman movie.
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According to The Los Angeles Times, Christopher Nolan has reached out to the cast of The Dark Knight Rises and told them to be ready to shoot amid the protest.
MTV is also apparently looking to Occupy Wall Street for their cast of the Real World.
In what seems to be a casting call posted on Craigslist, MTV said it is looking for people between 20- and 24 years old and asking anyone taking part in the anti-Wall Street movement who is interested to contact them.
Meanwhile, donations keep pouring in to the protesters. The movement has earned $435,000 in donations, $85,000 of which has been given to the protest in person at Zuccotti Park.
The demonstrators spend about $1,500 a day on food and recently dished out $2,000 to wash sleeping bags, sweaters and jackets.
The movement has also reportedly spent about $20,000 on laptops, cameras and other equipment used to stream video online.
As the occupation in New York City continues to grow, Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain said protesters are camping out in the wrong city.
During a debate in Las Vegas Tuesday night, Cain said they are misdirecting their frustrations and should instead be outside the White House in Washington, D.C.
Cain said he's not sure what the protesters' demands are and asked if protesters think Wall Street will just write them checks.
Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also weighed in and said activists are simply protesting the 2008 Wall Street bailouts.
So what's next on the agenda for Occupy Wall Street? A rally is planned for Saturday afternoon in Union Square to protest against police brutality.
How long do you think the OWS protest will last? Sound off below in our comments section...
