Tent village stocks popular supplies, food, books Condoms and cough drops are among the vital supplies necessary for survival at McPherson Square, where protesters with the Occupy DC movement have slowly built up a tent community over the past three weeks.
The two items are the most popular provisions at the camp’s medical tent, one of several amenities now stationed at McPherson for protesters, though many there are only part-time occupiers, heading home each night to sleep before going back to their 9 to 5 jobs or lives as full-time students.
While they work out of their office by day and go home in the evenings, the rest of their time is spent at the square, protesting with dozens of others.
It is not clear what the Occupy DC movement is protesting — a declaration of grievances is being developed, though some organized a recent flash mob outside a reception for Walmart in protest of corporate greed.
Members of the movement say the part-timers’ help is important, and they welcome any time protesters can give to their cause. Without their help, “this probably wouldn’t be as big,” said Charlie Mahoney, a nurse from Arlington who volunteers at the camp’s medical tent by day but spends his nights at home.
“But if you can be here, even just one day a week, to come out and help, march or whatever, that’s great,” he said.
Donations of supplies and time are plentiful. But if there’s one home comfort the protesters haven’t been able to replicate, it’s bathrooms. Problem is, there aren’t any.
Neighboring protesters at Freedom Plaza have Porta Johns, but are only allowed the toilets thanks to their permit. The Occupy DC occupation is still illegal. Obtaining a permit, even in the name of toilets, would sort of defeat the occupation’s purpose, they say.
Protesters rely on the kindness of nearby businesses, or an invitation by a local to come home. Urinating behind a tree in McPherson late at night is never out of the question.
Otherwise, the protesters boast a media tent, complete with a generator, as well as a kitchen and library. There’s even a sanitation department.
The medical tent, donated by the union National Nurses United, is stocked with supplies to heal scratches and bruises, as well as the popular condoms and cough drops.
Approaching 2 a.m. at downtown on Thursday night, only a few remain awake. A circle of bongo players play under the statue of Gen. James Birdseye McPherson, while a few protesters are on guard against drunk people causing problems are on their way home from bars and clubs.
A protester throws away a box of beer cans, trash dumped in the park by a raucous bachelor party passing by. Occupy DC has been at McPherson for three weeks now, but the camp is no party.
“There’s not going to be any celebrating until there’s change,” he says before walking back to camp.
