By
Josh Sager
If the occupations are to survive the harsh winters
of the northern United States they must find ways to not only deal with the
weather, but develop strategies to keep people safe and facilitate the
transition. At Occupy Boston, a working group of occupiers as well as several
faculty members of local universities have been working to winterize the Occupy
camp. The winterization process can be broken down into several distinct and
important categories: Winterized structures, Camper safety, and Legal.
The Occupy Boston camp is currently composed of a
large number of three-season tents and several larger, military grade tents. As
the smaller tents are not structurally able to support large loads of snow, nor
are they properly insulated or waterproofed, they must be replaced before
winter sets in. In addition to the problems with the tents themselves, they are
spaced far too closely to comply with fire regulations. At this point, the
winterization committee has proposed a consolidation and reorganization of the
tent structures which will solve the structural and spacing issues that face
the occupation site.
Several military grade, arctic rated, tents will be
bought using donated money and set up to replace the current tents. These tents
are far stronger, more insulated and waterproof then the current tents, making
them a safer and more comfortable way to weather the winter. In addition to
purchasing the high grade tents, the occupiers will be using a structure
designed by volunteers from MIT and Harvard; this structure will be
lightweight, strong and designed to protect the occupiers through anything that
a New England winter can throw at the. Not only will the new structures hold up
to the weather but they will allow many more people to live together, making it
possible to ensure that nobody freezes in their sleep. As shown by numerous cold
weather deaths in people living without shelter, the most dangerous times in
the winter are the nights, when people without insulation freeze in their
sleep.
In coordination with the Safety and Medical working
groups, the Winterization group is organizing a winter safety system. On cold
winter nights, the Safety and Medical groups will be running periodic checks
inside of the living tents to ensure that everybody is safe; in the event of
somebody becoming hypothermic, they will be brought to the medical tent to be
given insulating layers and warm drinks. In a worst case scenario, the medical
team will call for an ambulance to transport the hypothermic occupier to the
hospital. Through a combination of preparation, vigilance, and medical
assistance, the occupiers will prepare for the winter so that everybody can
remain safe, healthy, and comfortable.
One potential stumbling block in the winterization
plan is the actions of the police. Currently there is an injunction against the
city from removing the occupations except under extreme circumstances (fire,
health, or violence). Unfortunately, the BPD has been enforcing a blockade of
winterization materials into the camp.
The BPD abides by the court order in
that they don’t remove the protestors, but they won’t allow any new materials
into camp; this makes little sense to the occupiers as they are planning on
staying, but need to be safe while they do. If the occupiers are dedicated to
stay through the winter, doesn’t it make sense for the police to allow them to
be as safe as they can make themselves? Ultimately, the occupiers hope that the
judge hearing the case will not only allow the occupiers to stay in Dewey
Square, but will also rule that the occupiers are allowed to winterize their
camp in order to stay safe.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The police officers stationed at
Dewey Square have conducted their jobs without violence and are only following
orders to blockade the occupiers’ site. Ultimately, any responsibility for this
policy rests up the chain of command, not with the officers themselves.
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