The Occupy D.C. camps have become a breeding ground for infestations of rats. Conditions are bad enough that the city health inspector is considering whether to ask the National Park Service (which has jurisdiction) to evict the camps (my bold emphasis).
The rat population around the two Occupy D.C. camps at McPherson Square and Freedom Plaza has “exploded”since protesters began their vigil in October, according to Mohammad N. Akhter, the director of the District’s Department of Health. Akhter said in an interview Monday that city health inspectors have seen rats running openly through both camps and spotted numerous new burrows and nests underneath hay-stuffed pallets occupiers are using for beds. Both campsites had working kitchens for weeks until last week, but protesters at McPherson Square voluntarily closed down theirs after health inspectors pointed out unsanitary conditions during an informal monitoring visit.
So, your cause is important enough that you’ll sleep in the same squalid beds as the rats? Somebody, somewhere, is sure to find sympathy with your plight (whatever that is) if you’re dumb enough to sleep over rats.
Mr. Akhter likens the camps to refugee camps he’s seen in the Middle East and Africa:
“Going down to these camps, it’s no different than refugee camps,” Akhter said. “People are living in very primitive conditions and they’re doing it by choice. They are very brave and thoughtful people, but my concern is that they should also take care of themselves. When the weather goes bad suddenly we’re watching a tragedy unfold in the middle of Washington, D.C. ”
Brave and thoughtful people? That’s certainly one way to put it. I’d go for thoughtless losers squatting on federal land with absolutely no justification for being there. Plus, the refugees were driven to camps by conditions beyond their control. These Occutards are choosing to live like this.
via City: Rat population has ‘exploded’ around Occupy D.C. camps – Post Now – The Washington Post.
