(Image Source: CBS)

BY STEVEN HSIEH

ANCHOR CHRISTY LEWIS

They’ve faced police crackdowns and political scrutiny -- even clouds of tear gas.  But will Occupy Wall Street survive its biggest challenge yet?  Winter. 

Throughout the colder parts of the nation -- encampments are preparing for the harsher elements.  CBS reports from Zucotti Park in New York: 

Woman: “We need a big donation of long johns”

Roberts: “Sleeping bags are illegal in the park, so if they enforce that we’re going to cut armholes in them and call them jackets.”

Spencer: “People asking for the mittens I make more than anything else right now.” 

Occupiers are calling it their -quote “Valley Forge” moment -- alluding to the American revolutionary encampment, in which thousands of people died from disease and supply shortages.

But some in the media doubt the Occupiers share that dedication.  MSNBC’s Michael Smerconish predicts once the warm weather leaves, the movement will go with it. 

“Winter’s also coming.  I think that some of those nerves, particularly in the Northeast, maybe not in Oakland, will become more frayed.  So, it’s gotta be headed to some sort of resolution.” (MSNBC)

But don’t tell that to protestors.  Occupiers vow to brave the cold, despite police confiscation of power generators in New York. There’s even talk of using the movement’s hefty funds to rent out indoor space for the coming months.

And filmmaker Michael Moore says Occupiers have come too far to stop at snowfall.

“The snow and the winter is not going to stop the collective anger of tens of thousands of Americans who have suffered as a result of economic policies of corporate America .. I think it will only harden people’s resolve.” (CNN)

Volunteers set up a first aid tent in New York’s Occupy encampment.  A registered nurse says -- as virus season approaches -- the huddled 99% will spread the 99 degrees -- in fevers, that is.

“It’s been rainy and wet and chilly -- so we see a lot of wet, foot-type disorders … The cold and flu season is coming.  We have people here who have infections and disorders that they had before they came here.  And you’re in close proximity, so you might find cold and flu running more rampantly among us.” (The Wall Street Journal)

At Occupy Denver this week -- two protesters were hospitalized with hypothermia.