It’s Occupy Igloo.
Wall Street protestors in Zuccotti Park hunkered down in tents today as the early October snow began pelting down.
The fall record-breaker is expected to cover the sidewalks in a 3 inch sheet.
Even though it’ll be extra chilly at the sprawling camp which is also now down six generators and 13 fuel containers, removed by the FDNY yesterday, Wall Street haters were toughing it out.
“I got my blanket, I got my sleeping bag and I got my girl,” said 25-year-old protestor Rene, who came from Occupy Miami to Occupy Wall Street, “so it’s not hard to stay warm.”
“The weather won’t dissuade me,” he added. “I’m here through the thick and thin until the tear gas rolls in.”
Firefighters had powered down “Occupy Wall Street” Friday, seizing protesters’ electric generators as the horde prepared for the season’s first blast of wintery weather.
“They didn’t say what the code violation was,” said Ed Needham, a member of the protesters’ communications working group. He added: “It makes us feel like we’re their adversaries.”
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the seizure was made “just to make sure everybody’s safe.”
City regulations require permits for generators “at street fairs and similar outdoor public gatherings,” and specifically bar storage of generator fuel in containers.
The seizure caused protesters to turn toward pedal power to fuel lights, cooking equipment and computers, and a company in Boston offered five bicycle generators to help, said Lauren Minis of the protest’s sustainability working group.
One bike generator was already in use Friday afternoon. Pedalers need four hours to charge a 12-volt battery, Minis said.
Pedaling for power will help keep some protesters warm as temperatures dip below freezing.
“We’re going to bundle up and be tough — insulate as much as possible, and grin and bear it,” said Jorden Eck, 20, of upstate Binghamton, who’s been at the protest for 27 days.
“I think they’re adamant about staying,” said Sonia Lundy, 49, of Queens, a registered nurse who works at the protest’s medical station.
Meanwhile, a fed-up Rudy Giuliani said the city should move the protesters out, citing public safety and health hazards.
“Enough is enough,” the former mayor said. “We can’t allow this to go on forever and ever. It sets a bad precedent … [and] diverts police resources from public safety.”
Brrr! An Occupy Wall Street supporter shivers as he wakes up amongst snow-sprinkled tents while the season’s first snow falls over Zuccotti Park. (AFP/Getty Images)