After more than a month and a half, Occupy Chapel Hill is going strong — powered not only by their beliefs, but also by donations from local businesses.
The movement, which has occupied Peace and Justice Plaza since Oct. 15, has received more than $1,200 in cash donations from local businesses and residents, occupier Steve Peterson said.
According to Stephanie Daugherty, who has been involved with the movement since it began, the group has spent $236 on food, $132 on supplies and tents, $60 on laundry and $30 on photocopies in the month and a half since it started.
Occupiers have said their main costs are water, tarps, laundry, food and tobacco.
Donations to pay for the items have come from many sources, like the group’s website, passersby and occupiers themselves.
Local shops and restaurants have also supplied food and other necessities to the movement — keeping costs low for protesters.
Vimala Rajendran, owner of Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe, donated hot meals to the movement two times in November, according to the Occupy Chapel Hill website.
“They asked for food, and we responded,” she said. “I believe in feeding the hungry because food is a human right.”
Rajendran said her decision to donate stemmed from her support of non-violent social justice movements.