But those committed to the cause around the world are finding ingenious ways to live in public squares at the heart of financial districts.

Central to the protesters' public calls for support and supplies has been Twitter, with the hashtag #needsoftheoccupiers (#occupysydneyneeds in Sydney) used to list what was required at each location.

"We are getting by. When it starts raining, it gets less comfortable," said Ben Peterson, 22, a protester at Sydney's Martin Place camp, which has been in place since Saturday afternoon.

Mr Peterson and his fellow organisers have been busy putting together workshops to educate campers, including talks on public speaking, logistics, consumerism, alternative media and the political and economic issues of the day, such as coal seam gas.

Working groups were also being set up so participants could tackle any camping or logistics problems that arise, he said.

Food and water

Sydney protest organisers say they have been inundated with food since putting out an appeal for donations on Saturday.

"We've had overwhelming donations of food," Mr Peterson said, adding that someone brought "delicious cupcakes" for the 50 or so protesters this morning.

Some campers came with portable stoves so they could heat up their meals, while other bought pizzas and other takeaway foods from nearby restaurants.

A yoga school has donated bottles of water, while members of two unions - the CFMEU and the Maritime Union of Australia - raised $2000 for the Sydney protesters so they could buy basic supplies.

In New York, "Occupy Wall Street" protesters prepare breakfast for everyone at a makeshift canteen at Zuccotti Park each morning.

Others help to clear the trash and sweep the grounds.

Power

Josh Lees, one of the organisers of "Occupy Sydney", said participants initially brought a generator, PA system and gas lights.

The supply of electricity is an essential part of the campaign - with participants live streaming, blogging and tweeting about their experiences, using computers and other mobile devices.

But the generator and other camping equipment were removed by police on Saturday night, officers saying the protesters were not allowed to have any camping equipment with them, according to the City of Sydney council's regulations, Mr Lees said.

Campers in other financial districts have faced the same problems, although those at Zuccotti Park have had assistance from Greenpeace, which donated a solar panel.

Shelters and toilets

Mr Lees said protesters slept under tarpaulins and in sleeping bags and on cardboard sheets after police removed their tents.

The yoga group that donated water also chipped in with a stack of yoga mats.

But the rain last night brought additional problems.

"The biggest difficulty we are having is with the police," Mr Peterson said.

"When it started raining, they didn't allow people to stand in public footpaths [under the buildings] away from the rain."

Toilets were less of a worry, with access to 24-hour facilities in Wynyard train station and Hyde Park.

This is in contrast to the difficulties faced by the protesters at "Occupy Dallas", who have to walk almost a kilometre to the nearest toilets.

An attempt to bring in portable toilets has led to a legal stoush with city officials.

Entertainment

Mr Peterson said organisers have drawn up a list of workshops and events to keep participants occupied.

Daniel Jones, 24, a computer science university student, who was at Martin Place this morning, said he hoped the area would become a discussion spot for politics and economics - not unlike the public squares of ancient Greece.

"We are trying to take the square and hold lots of meetings. That's why we are here - we are reclaiming these squares for political discussion ... This is just the beginning."

In New York, with all public broadcasting systems banned, participants at Zuccotti Park's daily meeting used a form of echo chamber to share a speech.

"A speaker says a few words, then pauses; the audience repeats them, loudly and in unison; the speaker says a few more; the chorus repeats; and so on. If the group is unusually large, the repetitions radiate out, like a mountain echo," The New Yorker magazine reported.

"Occupy Sydney" organisers have also appealed for books to be dropped at Martin Place.

Safety

As the Sydney protesters are being watched at all times by the police, Mr Peterson said safety was last thing participants worried about.

"With the police here, it's the safest place to the city," he said.

"But it's also because we are just interested in looking after each other [and not be violent]. We want this space to continue and be inspiring for people."

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