Spending the Night at Occupy Wall Street - Slideshow

Ben Johnson/WNYC

Nate Barchus, 23, helped start an Occupy protest in his hometown befor heading to Occupy Providence and then Occupy Wall St., to "see the mother ship."

Ben Johnson/WNYC

Saman Waquad, 28, volunteers in the Occupy Wall Street kitchen. She says it's going to take a long time for protesters' demands to be answered.

Ben Johnson/WNYC

John Murdock, 36, who is a sanitation volunteer at Zuccotti Park, says he's been "waiting a long time for Americans to overcome their apathy."

Ben Johnson/WNYC

Gina Weldon, 19, of Brooklyn, says she came to support a cause and that her education costs, "just to better myself," are unfairly high.

Ben Johnson/WNYC

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.

Ben Johnson/WNYC

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."

Ben Johnson/WNYC

Cynthia Verillo has been living at the park for three weeks. She says she'll stay until a genuine dialog with powerful interests and politicians happens.