Michael Simon Johnson

As I was talking to people there, I got the sense that residents were actively looking for ways to show up for each other.

I saw strangers bringing each other coffee, giving each other nods, exchanging information.

There was one guy there named Nero, who seemed like he was sort of the unofficial shepherd of the group.

He was tending to the fire and he was curating the space, is what he said.

I've been hearing different anecdotes of people.

I mean, I know, you know, people have the whistles, but also people dropping off mutual aid related packages at like local stores or specific places.

People, you know, it seems like people are protecting.

Like kind of stepping up in a way.