When the TV cameras are gone, what is it like to spend the night at Occupy Wall Street? It's been a month since protesters first began to occupy Zuccotti Park, near Wall Street in New York City. Since then, temperatures have been dropping as the number of protesters in New York and across the globe grows. This leaves many wondering how many protesters will be left when winter hits. Well, we aimed to find out — and to understand better just who was spending the night there and why.
Digital editor and producer Ben Brock Johnson spent the night at Zuccotti Park, and spoke with protesters there.
Interviews and photos of some of the people Ben spoke with, below:
Victor Sheely, a local artisan and performer, was drawn to the group's "courage" in questioning powerful interests. He also narrates an altercation with one of the Occupy Wall Street organizers and some younger participants trying to drink alcohol in the park.
Jason Harris, a recovering alcoholic who is also a substitute teacher, returned to Zuccotti Park, where he used to drink as a homeless man, to be part of "a historic time."
Star Trek: Past, Present and Future
The IRS Scandal: The Criminal Investigation, Afghanistan and the Struggle to Walk Away, Does Medicare Part D Care About Safety?
The IRS Scandal: Who Gets Tax-Exempt Status?, Depression's Lessons, 'Star Trek: Into Darkness'
From 'Spinal Tap' to 'Family Tree,' the Wild Worlds of Christopher Guest
50 Years Later, the Birmingham Class of 1963 Finally Gets a Prom
The IRS Scandal: The Criminal Investigation, Afghanistan and the Struggle to Walk Away, Does Medicare Part D Care About Safety?
'David's Inferno': Depression's Lessons
The IRS Scandal: Who Gets Tax-Exempt Status?, Depression's Lessons, 'Star Trek: Into Darkness'
How Long Will the War on Terror Last?
Congress Holds Hearing on I.R.S. Targeting of Conservative Groups
Is Angelina Jolie's Medical Choice Available to All Women?
How Does the Affordable Care Act Affect Independent Care Providers?
The House Votes to Repeal Affordable Care Act for the 37th Time

The show is a co-production of WNYC Radio and Public Radio International, in collaboration with New York Times Radio and WGBH Boston.
Major funding provided by:

Comments [2]
What next for the "Occupy" movement? In a free economy, prices and salaries are set by whatever-the-market-will-bear. Perhaps the protestors' noise is that of a market that can bear no more. I suggest they propose a national summit of banks, insurers, manufacturers, unions, etc., to discuss mututal disarmament: a cooperative, cross-competitor back-down from prices and salaries in the interest of the national good. Voluntary, and by good will, in order to avoid government regulation.
We live in a country no longer represented by the people but by the interests of major corporations and the money they use through lobbying to pay off our elected officials. These politicians no longer voice the opinion of the voters who put them in office but instead speak for the special interests which pay them more and more money to turn a blind eye to the destruction of our environment and the extinction of the middle class. How long will the occupations have to last before a SINGLE government official asks what WE the PEOPLE want changed? Visit my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/09/occupywallstreet.html to see my art for the movement and also see videos of the protests and police brutality as well as get other sources for coverage of the movement.
Leave a Comment
Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.