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Denver Protesters Stay Through Snowstorm

DENVER (AP) -- Occupy Wall Street protesters said Wednesday they took two demonstrators to a Denver hospital with symptoms of hypothermia during an overnight snowstorm.

Protesters said they took the two, whom they did not identify, from Civic Center Park to nearby Denver Health medical center and that the pair will be OK. A hospital spokeswoman said she could not immediately verify that the two were taken there.

About 30 people stayed at Civic Center Park overnight, bundled up on the ground under tarps after police officers forced them to take down tents. Denver saw between 2 inches and 4 inches of snow overnight. Another 4 to 8 inches of snow were expected by late Wednesday.

"This is a big test, for sure," said 51-year-old Dwayne Hudson, a landscaper who has been living at the Occupy Denver site for 11 days. "We're going to stay out here as long as we can, but it's getting tough."

Hudson was up before dawn unloading fresh water from a supporter. He rubbed his hands together and held onto a pink umbrella as heavy, wet snow fell.

Protesters say about 50 sympathizers stopped by overnight to drop off blankets, gloves, chili and hot chocolate. One of the supporters, Gary Crabtree of Denver, dropped off supplies Wednesday morning and said he's frustrated that officers didn't allow tents.

"Look at this," he said, pointing to snowy tarps covering people sleeping on wet ground. "These people need shelter."

"I'm staying right here," said Josh Rios of Denver, who walked around wrapped in two blankets.

By Kristen Wyatt, AP Writer (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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