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Help Kevin Gosztola purchase & distribute supplies from the Occupy Supply fund.
Tonight, Jane Hamsher, Myself, and Matt McKinnon of the machinists union will be attending the first committee meeting on Winterizing in Washington, DC. This will be following our webinar with Members about the Occupy Supply Funds plans. It has been a very warm October, leading to little concern about when cold weather sets in.
Unfortunately, the weather in DC, and in other locations is turning brisk. Many of the occupiers in DC are not prepared for the weather that is on its way, and its only going to get colder. They are at least taking a step in a positive direction by holding this committee meeting tonight, but still have a long way to go.
Right now the concern is staying comfortable with fresh clean clothes, and padding, but as the weather gets colder, and winter approaches, it will be necessary to focus on ways to stay warm and dry. If this does not happen, occupiers may start fleeing the scene.
Firedoglake, with the help of Bruce Olsson and Mat McKinnon put together a brochure about how to protest in winter, keeping warm, and identifying cold injuries and illnesses. More drastic measures will need to take place if these occupations last into the next couple months, such as flu immunizations. Without some of these medications and immunizations, sickness and disease could spread through the occupations like wildfire, crippling the movement.
Kevin Gosztola is traveling around to occupations all across the Midwest and he lands in Columbus, OH this afternoon to drop off some much desired supplies. Below is the forecast for DC this upcoming weekend.
Upcoming weather in DC
42 Comments
Perfect, Ryan! Thank you!
Ill let everyone know what we learn at the meeting tonight. From what I know, there has not been much planning or anyone taking the lead.
One old backpacking trick from an old backpacker – sleep with a water bottle or two in the sleeping bag with you and the water won’t freeze.
This was from my starting to read the PDF. Perhaps this kind of comment can be added to the PDF as it evolves.
A taste of what homeless families suffer. The better equipped have a vehicle to shelter in others find a place out of the wind. I recommend going inside when storms are approaching. Then after the camp can be made liveable. Maybe a small crew to standby that can get in a warm vehicle.
What you are doing is great. Our occupy was closed and only some independents were hanging. To much strife drugs, anger and conflict. We may start over with a better plan.
Gee it’s been over 30 years since I did my backpacking & even then I hardly did any in cold temps. I still have 3 good clean serviceable sleeping bags in the attic, though, which I’d be willing to donate. I’ll look for a time/place to take them into NYC & meet up the demonstrations. I believe they’re rated for subzero. One is down. The other 2 can be zipped together (heh), and are one of those synthetics that came in way back then. But they should all still be good.
Is there a shipping address, I have some space blankets and a few other items I’m sending to NY next week and could send some to DC.
This is good and noble work that you are doing.
That’s great! And, why not, if they’re just “taking up space”.
Good for you.
where is that?
Emotional attachment finally gone. I did a lot of super backpacking in the day & having them in the attic would bring back memories every once in awhile.
Fleece or even flannel sleeping bag liners help a lot, and they’re cheap.
Closed-cell foam sleeping pads are cheap and very effective. As these are semi-permanent camps, you can also use something like carpet pads and carpet remnants. Carpet the whole interior of the tent.
Three season tents will disintegrate during a serious winter storm. I spend as little time in cities as possible, so maybe the winds won’t be too severe amongst all the buildings, but snow loads will destroy the poles. If you can’t get serious tents (which are seriously expensive), stock up on pole sleeves to reinforce the joints. These are bits of aluminium tube that slide over the tent pole joints. You can duct tape them into position.
MoveIn doors (e.g., 1600 Pennsylvania, Capitol, etc.)!
Brooms to knock snow from the tents. Shovels to clear walkways. Hot drinks always available.
Scarecrow brought up a point on the Webinar this evening about the need to keep people out of the mud if it rains and they’re camping on grass. I’ve noticed that there always seem to be wooden pallets offered in the for free section of Craigslist.
Sometimes it’s time to say buh-bye.
This is a super way for people to shed some baggage and share comfort and hope.
San Luis Obispo CA
Tweet the need.
At Occupy LA, when there was rain, someone tweeted the need for pallets to make “sidewalks” in the mud. A short time later, a truck pulled up with pallets.
VIDEO
Oakland Police Throw Grenade Into Crowd That Is Trying To Help Injured Protester
http://dailybail.com/home/make-this-go-viral-oakland-police-throw-grenade-into-crowd-t.html
Still think wool is best for any kind of wet, unless you can afford the expensive Goretex type fabrics.
And layering. Much better to wear layers of clothes that can be taken on & off as temps change. Sweating underneath a lot of clothes in the winter can make you even colder than not having enough warm clothing. Heat of transformation. http://www.princeton.edu/~humcomp/sophlab/ther_3.htm
*heh* This is all the ‘winterizing’ I need…
Conservative blogger gives out free bongs to embarrass protesters…
Oh, Me, pick Me. I’m going to buy a Coach handbag and send it to OWS. Grrrrr.
Is there an outreach effort at unemployment offices, military recruiters, blood banks, union offices, pawn shops etc.? If not then the “movement” will never grow and it will be nothing more than a symphony of “jazz hands.” Cute but hardly transformative let alone revolutionary.
I’m so sorry to hear what happened there. Would you be willing to do a diary about the details of what happened and potential plans for starting over and keep us posted about what develops as you go forward? I’m sure it could be very useful information for the occupy movement in general – avoiding the pitfalls and learning what does work.
That is awesome.
Hey! and well-done from interior Alaska. This is a great list. I’d add that you really can’t over-emphasize how important it is to stay dry – if you find yourself sweating get some layers off and if you’re being precipitated on get something waterproof on. Also, if you can’t afford a warm sleeping bag stuffing a cheap one inside another cheap one can be surprisingly effective. If it’s truly cold out you can lose a lot of heat through the soles of your feet, so get some insulating insoles in your shoes (but again, don’t let your footwear get so tight it interferes with circulation). But most of all, don’t get wet.
There a kind of rubberized plastic sheeting that is used to cover the flat roofs of those god awful megastores. I had a 2′ wide partial roll of it left over from lining my wooden gutters which were done in 1994. I glued some strips together to put under my beehives so the grass wouldn’t grow up right around them.
It lasts forever & is absolutely impermeable.
My beekeeper told me that if you’re driving by one of the stores under construction they have large scraps of it left over which they will prolly be willing to give away. Otherwise its unconscionably expensive. (Don’t know what it’s called bc I gave away the little I had left to a neighbor with a beehive & didn’t think I’d need the info.
Anyhow, if anyone associated with OWS happens to be in a situation of driving by such a construction project where they are just finishing the roof, or knows some one who works such jobs, pick some up for laying on the ground. It’s a miracle material for keeping the wet in the ground, though it would need to be dried off on top after a rain or snow. It’s fairly heavy, maybe 1/8″ thick, so don’t think it would work on tops of tents with poles that aren’t sturdy.
That’s a really good suggestion.
It did spawn an irreverent mental image. I did some community service in my youth by going with completely untalented groups to ‘entertain’ people in old folks homes (as they were then quaintly called). So the mental image is to get their vans to bus them & their wheel chairs to the demos. They would find that much more interesting than the awful ‘entertainment’ they sometimes have to endure, get the ones who are capable to an interesting outing, & provide GREAT photo ops.
Make sure everyone who shows up from all walks of life are registered to vote. Get names & addresses so transport can be provided for those who need it to GOTV.
I’m down on voting as incapable of effecting real change. Yet I observe all kinds of voter suppression going on, so suspect any effort to GOTV still causes agita in PTB.
I also put a bunch of clothing into my sleeping bag bag for a pillow at night. It not only serves as a pillow, but as someone above mentioned about water, keeps the clothing warm.
Keep your feet dry, head and hands warm.
You should know!
I also emphasized the need to stay dry, esp wrt sweating which most people who aren’t outside much in the winter don’t have a clue about. You can’t realize how long it took me to figure out why I got so cold on ski lifts. After years, I figured it out, merely unzipped around my neck while skiing down so I didn’t sweat up, then zipped back up for the uphill ride.
Also your core. So neck gaiters, esp the fleece ones which aren’t that expensive, are great. They can be pushed down into your other clothing & pulled up to partially cover your face if it’s really cold. And part of the layering process, since they can be shed if you get too warm.
Ryan,
Despite good intentions I disagree with this as the overall strategy. It’s a little like cooking orderves to be presented at a funeral before the party concerned has expired.
The momentum needs to be used before winter ends the occupations in the northern part of the country.
As I have said to both you and Jane we need to begin an ongoing thread which explores collectively the what next for these actions.
These suggestions could be brought to each of the general assemblies, added upon or rejected by those on the ground, their decisions put into motion around the country and co ordinated by those not physically participating on site .
Otherwise IMHO you are merely helping by making them comfortable and offering last rights.
The injured protestor is a veteran, has a fractured skull and brain swelling. The link provides an address to send cards to him in the hospital. I’ve got one ready for tomorrow’s mail. Crying, again. I ‘spect there’ll be many more opportunities for tears before this is all said and done.
Best suggestion I’ve heard so far .
You are right, layering is the key.
‘night, eCAHN, see you in the a.m., skritches to CAHNstance and hugs to you.
ohmmm
Feels like our little tribe is drawing in a little closer this evening.
Be safe, everyone.
Army surplus stuff. The armys cold weather gear is some of the best 30 below in Germany and I never felt cold. The GP medium tents are almost as good as a house with floors and stoves. IMO that’s the only way they can make it a full winter in some comfort.
I’ve come to swear by socks of the newer fleece materials —light, not too bulky, warm, and feet hardly ever get damp. Best with waterproof boots up over the ankle. If you have little money, skimp on something other than feet if possible.
Also other than viscera, where a person can get a chill that won’t lift for several Julys if not careful. The innermost layer should be longjohns.
Strong second on wool, including hats, for damp, chilly places like Manhattan down near the Horn, or the endless late autumn rains of D.C. (Cold I can take without much thought, but November in Washington out of doors — {{{}}} now that’s daunting …)
For Chicago, down, e.g. snorkels such as can be had from a workman/surplus store on the cheap, if things go past early December.
I’ve been through some winters, and I’m sure anyone who feels they need to be out there can manage to stay out there in all but maybe the coldest weather, with appropriate outfitting.
Get ahold of the Wisconsin demo folks! They were occupying the Capitol and the Capitol Square in subzero temperatures back in February and January.
It’s not that difficult to stay warm outdoors in subzero temps — and don’t let anyone tell you any different. It’s not nearly as tough or as ‘cold’ as many southernors, nominal northerners, or concern trolls would have you believe.
Get ahold of the Wisconsin folks. They’ll setchya up — they go winter camping for fun up there.
Wisconsin suggestion here. Absolutely NO cotton clothing against the skin. It absorbs and holds moisture that freezes against your skin and never dries out.
Polypropylene or wool or silk (and blends) under-layers against the skin, socks, long johns, turtle-neck wicks naturally produced sweat/moisture away from your skin and into the outer layers of your clothing. minimizes feeling the chills.
Layer up with thicker wool or other poly/wool fiber outer layers. Top it off with an outer layer of water-proof yet breathable gore-tex type parka and pants
Boots with thick wool felt or thick poly liners that need to be replaced with dry liners about once a day depending on activity levels.
WEAR A FREAKING HAT, poly/wool blends under the waterproof parka hood. You lose most of your body heat through your head, keep it covered. Wear gloves or even better, mittens if your hands easily get cold.
Again, NO COTTON anything for extended or even short exposure cold weather wear.
Sleeping, you need as much insulation below you as you have around you or your body will try to heat the cold ground below you which saps you quickly. Closed cell foam camping bed roll pads are about the least expensive and work the best. Again nothing cotton. Poly-fiber, breathable fabric sleeping bags.
It is ice fishing that is the most fun!