Occupy Philly plans reoccupation today at Independence Mall

Though many assumed they were dormant or dismantled this winter, Occupy Philadelphia was quietly regrouping, organizing and planning.

Now the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the occupiers are coming out to play. Or, more accurately, to protest.

The group recently made its presence known with a mic check at a hearing about the mayor’s regulation to stop feeding the homeless outside.

Today they are planning an all-out “temporary” reoccupation, this time setting up camp on Independence Mall. It is unclear how long the occupation will last.

According to Occupy Philadelphia’s daily schedule, they will meet at Rittenhouse Square for a noon rally and 1 p.m. legal seminar and march to Independence Mall between 4 and 5 p.m.

There will be an interfaith service at 7:30, followed by an evening drum circle dance party – it’ll be interesting to see how that gels with First Friday passerby – and a midnight Lenape heirloom seed workshop led by state congressional write-in candidate Nathan Kleinman.

Occupy Philadelphia is accepting donations through social fundraising platform Fundly for legal support, tents, flowers, food
– which they estimate will cost $300 for the weekend “and possibly longer”– comfort items and printed materials. Their goal is $3,000, according to a release.

Saturday is heavily booked with speakers and educational activities, according to the schedule, including a 1 p.m. introduction to citizen journalism and a 2:30 p.m. facilitated discussion about criminology theories and race.

Occupy’s general assembly will also be resurrected (or held in an outdoor space for the first time in a while, at the least) at 7 p.m., when they will have a discussion and vote on a proposed Occupy national gathering to be hosted in Philadelphia, not to be confused with the 99 Percent Declaration being staged here July 4 by an allegedly dubious Occupy Wall Street breakaway group.

The night will wrap up with another drum circle dance party.

So pack up your tents and bring lots of blankets – it’s that time of year again.