Occupy DC Protestors and McPherson Square’s Homeless

Occupy DC protestors have set up camp in McPherson Square, which is also where some of the city’s homeless spend their days and nights. The Washington Post‘s Tim Craig speaks with a number of homeless individuals, many of whom welcome the protestors because they are “raising awareness while boosting their quality of life by bringing a sense of security and community to an otherwise cruel existence.”

Not all of the homeless downtown are embracing the protesters with the same vigor. Some view the demonstrators — who sleep in designer tents and use a solar generator to power their computers and smart phones — as naive. Others are certain that the movement will fizzle in a few weeks when cold weather sets in.

“Their hearts are in the right place, but they are going up against big dogs and they are the chihuahua,” said Frosty Bibbee, 57, who has been homeless since July 1 when he quit his job with a carnival.

Robert Brown, 51, who said he’s been homeless for six months, questioned why the park service has decided not to enforce the ban on camping in downtown parks.

“If we had set up tents, the police would be here in a second, and they just come and get to do what they want,” Brown said.

Read more at: www.washingtonpost.com