Locals Drop Off Goods, Cash At 'Occupy' Camp

Local residents have been dropping off food and water to a group of about a dozen Occupy Coachella Valley protesters camped out at Palm Desert's Civic Center Park.

“Even though there are people out there who are not protesting who are not vocal, they are still support Occupy Coachella Valley,” said Jayel Aheram, a College of the Desert student and organizer of the protest.

The group has received $50 from people dropping off cash, as well as a Xerox card.

“We now have an information booth,” Aheram said, adding that they have a library and have utilized plastic bins dropped off by local residents.

People have also dropped off food.

"This morning we woke up to different people dropping off food, basically in support. They weren’t trying to wake us. They are strangers who don’t want any acknowledgement," he said.

One man left some doughnuts with a note that read "Carry On," according to Aheram.

Malina Lobel-Karimi of Palm Springs stopped by to drop off some food and show the group some support on Wednesday night.

"What they are doing is beyond brave. It's ground breaking. It cannot be pigeonholed," Lobel-Karimi said, adding that the movement cannot be claimed by Democrats nor Republicans.

Aheram said the group plans to go before the City Council at its 4 p.m. meeting Thursday to thank the city for its cooperation.

The city has been issuing temporary use permits to allow protesters to stay in the park overnight. The city bars camping and the park has a 11 p.m. curfew.

Tonight is the group's third night at the park.