So I really wanted to check out Occupy Philly and I finally got a chance to today (google it if you don't know about it, or it's predecessor Occupy Wall Street). My friend Becca was up for checking it out and we managed to make it down in time for their big march across town to the Liberty Bell. I was surprised by the crowd. Yes, there were dirty hippies. But there were also a ton of families marching with their kids. There were white people and black people and middle aged people and young people and really old people. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

Me and my marching buddy Becca. They had a big sign making area so we decided to make signs.

(yes, I'm wearing my teachers union shirt)

Bonus points if you recognize the movie Becca's sign is quoting. I recognized it right away, but only a few people on the march seemed to get it, including a random bicycle cop. As we were leaving the march at the end of the day and heading towards the subway, one of those open top tour buses passed us. The tour guide read Becca's sign to the group in a confused voice and we ended up having a ton of tourists peering down at us, gawking.

Lots of different causes were represented:

We marched across town to the Liberty Bell, where they had a brief rally and then we marched back.

I loved these two little toddlers waving their fists in the air, so I had to snap a picture.

This sign says "You know things are bad when toddlers start marching".

Snapshot of some of the march.

I liked this one. It was above a big pile of snacks. I don't know how clearly you can read the writing, but it informs you that snacks are a human right.

This sign was one of my favorites, and we didn't even see it at the protest. It was on a wall directly across the street from a Bank of America in Fishtown. How angry do you have to be to do this? (I don't know how clear it is, but the yellow sign says "I hate Bank of America".)

There was tons of press there. I got approached by one reporter, who wanted to talk to me about student debt. He wouldn't talk to him, but he said something to the effect of "I'm sure many of these protesters here are recent college graduates like yourself." I was flattered, but I had to assure him that I can no longer really be considered a recent college graduate. Here is a video from the local news:

Occupy Philly Marches To Liberty Bell: MyFoxPHILLY.com

And one of my friends posted this on Facebook, so I had to share.

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT!

I guess this district has no Sikh's either... http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6239670 Kindergartener's fight for long hair Wednesday, July 02, 2008 9:59 AM By Gene Apodaca FORT BEND COUNTY (KTRK) -- The parents of a kindergartener in Fort Bend County are fighting for his right to have long hair in school. They say it's about freedom of religion. The Needville Independent School District says it needs proof. When Adriel Arocha, 5, was born, his father, Kenney, vowed to teach him his heritage. "We feel that it's important to raise him as Native American until he's able to make a choice," said Kenny. And part of that heritage meant he would not to cut his son's hair, believing hair holds spiritual meaning. "It tells us how long I've been here, by your hair, so it's your history," Adriel said. "It's our tradition it's what we do," Kenney said. All that was fine until Adriel's parents planned to enroll the five-year-old at Needville Elementary School. Despite promising to keep his hair neatly braided, the district refused to accept him. "I knew they would probably be a little difficult but I didn't expect it to be this bad," said his mother Michelle Betenbaugh. District policy clearly states student's hair needs to be kept out of the eyes. No hair can cover any part of the ear, a standard collar and no tufts or tails are allowed. The superintendent says exceptions are made for religion, but Adriel's parents have yet to provide proof of their beliefs. "I was trying to find out what recognized religion they are that discusses they cannot cut their hair and the information I received then was basically it's their choice," said Needville ISD Superintendent Curtis Rhodes. Near the school some residents felt the district was going too far. "I don't think longer hair than their ears is going to hurt their education," said Needville resident Jana Hausler. "If it has to do with his religion, I don't think anyone should infringe on their religious rights," resident Jamie Hausler said. Adriel's parents say they plan to appeal the decision, even if it means going to court. "You can't deny a person their rights," Kenney said. As for Adriel himself, he's pretty clear what he wants.