Out with the old, in with the new
- Written by Tori Middelstadt
Residents driving downtown might notice a change to the Occupy Camp at Veteran’s Memorial Park. Local occupiers in conjunction with the UAF Gay Straight Alliance erected the tent Saturday afternoon.
The Fairbanks Occupy group was awarded a new larger tent by Occupy Supply, a subsidiary of firedoglake.com, which allows for supporters to donate funds and supplies to the occupiers throughout the country. Occupy Fairbanks won the tent for continual dedication even with record breaking cold temps this past November.
The new tent is a 12 square feet military command tent. The new larger green tent replaced the one-person red tent that has resided in the park since the beginning of winter.
“The new tent is larger meaning we can have more than one person stay here a night to increase our presence,” said occupier Forrest Andreson.
In the plans for the new tent is to add heat. The tent has a hole in the top for a smoke stack as well as cots for more comfortable sleep arrangements.
Along with the tent from Occupy Supply Lt. Dan Choi was to appear at the tent raising. Choi was forced out of the military for being gay during the time of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. However there was a last minute cancellation for Choi’s appearance. Even with the unknown reason for the cancellation of Choi’s appearance, occupiers are still positive about the new tent and their resulting alliance with UAF GSA.
“This is pimp!” said Ethan Sinsabaugh, “I’m ecstatic.” Sinsabaugh lived at the park almost every night from November to January.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
