Wisconsin Occupy Camps Still Enduring

Occupy Madison

Occupy Madison's Outdoor Warming Area

A recent visit to the two largest and most steady #Occupy Wall Street camps in Wisconsin proved to be an interesting observation in pure human persistence. Living a modest and basic subsistence lifestyle to show their support of the Occupy Wall Street Movement, these die hards are still hanging on in some of the roughest weather to be faced by the 99% throughout the Nation. With even the relatively mild winter we have been having so far, the conditions can still be rough to bear. As most in Wisconsin well know, the coldest weather is yet to come. Preparation in both camps are being made for the snow and colder weather and many different ways. Both camps also have limited outside support, although the Madison camp was better equipped and or stocked. The Milwaukee camp, with their Teepee, definitely had a certain amount of charm.

Occupy Madison and the Walker Connection

I was in the company of Robert Schultze while he was continuing his project, Portraits of the 99%. The project has taken him throughout the United States documenting those who at the various Occupy Camps continue to carry the flag and carry on the Occupy Wall Street movement.

The two camps are different in many ways. The Milwaukee camp a small but cozy location, where as the Madison Camp is far more engineered, if quite rugged.

Rob shooting Occupy Milwaukee

Madison

The general theme in Madison is meeting the codes of the city in order to have safe and warm shelter. There is what could be called serious field expedient engineering happening, with construction of steel frames to hold fabric covers to protect from wind and snow. There is a specific warming tent with a stove pumping heat directly into it. The City of Madison had closely watched the design and set up of these structures. A major effort was made to meet all fire and safety codes and requirements of the City in order to not only avoid a conflict that could have the end result of the closing of the camp. There was in fact a quick visit by one of the city inspectors which basically resulted in a fast and matter of fact but friendly conversation on some of the new structures that were in the works.

The Occupy Milwaukee Camp has a certain charm

With not only the warming tent, and a fairly well stocked supply tent, a few more tent like structures base on aluminum framing were in in the works. There was also much parking area. Most of the actual dwellings were small dome tents placed on pallets for insulation from the cold parking lots, covered well with heavy duty tarps.

Milwaukee

Rob in the Occupy Milwaukee Teepee

The Milwaukee camp is much smaller, but does have a sort of charm the Madison camp lacks. Located on a small one, or maybe two lot corner-side park, it definitely has a more comfortable feel, even if it lacks the logistical and engineering of the Madison Camp. The one element that most stands out is of course the large Teepee that dominates the view of, as well as the camp itself. Purchased by one of the camp occupants with money he would have spent on his normal rent, it provides an excellent cold weather shelter. Equipped with an open stove, it is far more comfortable in the Teepee than a tent on any cold Wisconsin winter night.

There was and obvious level of support in the immediate community, as well as the surrounding neighborhood. There are even a few store fronts of a political or community action orientation. As a short term visitor, I definitely felt a sense of community support, as well as high spirits from the full time camp occupants.

With both camps preparation for the coming winter weather and possible extreme cold, it appears both camps are ready and stocked for making it though the winter.

Resolved to Endure

Even if one is not a supporter of the #Occupy Wall Street movement, one must respect the resolve of the Camps and their occupiers. The willingness to endure throughout the winter months exposed to the elements in order to express dissatisfaction with the current economic structure of the United States, as well as the preference to Wall Street and Corporate American that our Government shows, is indeed admirable.
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