VOA标准英语2011--Occupy Wall Street Neighbors: 'We're Und

Occupy Wall Street Neighbors: 'We're Under Siege'

The Occupy Wall Street protest in lower Manhattan has not actually occupied the street that is synonymous with American finance, but rather a park several blocks away. The area's small business owners and residents feel under siege.
Virtually constant drumming from mid-morning until late at night, for nearly a month now. Neighbors are not pleased. Steven Abramson is among them.
“There are families in this building with young children,' he said. "There are some older people who live here as well that would like some peace and quiet.”
“We are here to support a movement! Drumming helps that movement." said a drummer.
This drummer is reacting to yet another request by residents to stop. He refuses, saying drums are the heartbeat of a movement aimed at helping¹ all Americans, including nearby apartment residents.
Many protesters say they understand the plight² of the locals, just as many residents and shopkeepers say they support the movement. Nonetheless, neighbors complain their grievances³ are ignored. Stacey Tzortzatos and her husband own the Panini and Company Café across the street from the protest park.
"Somebody told me yesterday, well, I’m just collateral⁴ damage, because of my location," said Stacey Tzortzatos. "I shouldn’t be collateral damage.”
Despite all of the people in the park, nearby restaurant owners complain business is down. Tzortzatos says one reason is the police barricades⁵ that block access through the park for customers. Even food vendors⁶ in the park say tourists are doing most of the buying because protesters enjoy donated food. Sean Harper, a protest volunteer, dismisses the concerns of business owners.
“They have the right to not like it, but we have a right to deliver free food to the people," said protest volunteer, Sean Harper. "That’s what we’re doing. If that's an effect, it's an effect.”
The lobby of Steven Abramson’s apartment building is pungent⁷ with the smell of disinfectant to disguise the stench of urine outside. He says some protesters relieve themselves in the area at night. The problem - no portable toilets at the park.
“There’s a lot of people across the street - hundreds of people, but out of the hundreds of people, maybe 10 will come and eat here," said Tzortzatos. "Other times, they just want to use the facilities and wash themselves and brush their teeth and take showers in the restroom.”
Many nearby restaurants have closed their restrooms. Owners say their facilities are not equipped to handle so many people.
Unsanitary conditions prompted New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to order the park closed in stages on Friday for a cleanup. Bloomberg says the city is trying to protect the rights of protesters, as well as the rights of people who live and work in the area.

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 plight   

n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定

参考例句：

• The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
• She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。

3 grievances   

n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚

参考例句：

• The trade union leader spoke about the grievances of the workers. 工会领袖述说工人们的苦情。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• He gave air to his grievances. 他申诉了他的冤情。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 collateral   

adj.平行的；旁系的；n.担保品

参考例句：

• Many people use personal assets as collateral for small business loans.很多人把个人财产用作小额商业贷款的抵押品。
• Most people here cannot borrow from banks because they lack collateral.由于拿不出东西作为抵押，这里大部分人无法从银行贷款。

5 barricades   

路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The police stormed the barricades the demonstrators had put up. 警察冲破了示威者筑起的街垒。
• Others died young, in prison or on the barricades. 另一些人年轻时就死在监牢里或街垒旁。

6 vendors   

n.摊贩( vendor的名词复数 )；小贩；（房屋等的）卖主；卖方

参考例句：

• The vendors were gazundered at the last minute. 卖主在最后一刻被要求降低房价。
• At the same time, interface standards also benefIt'software vendors. 同时，界面标准也有利于软件开发商。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

7 pungent   

adj.（气味、味道）刺激性的，辛辣的；尖锐的

参考例句：

• The article is written in a pungent style.文章写得泼辣。
• Its pungent smell can choke terrorists and force them out of their hideouts.它的刺激性气味会令恐怖分子窒息，迫使他们从藏身地点逃脱出来。