Occupy Philly protesters scrambled yesterday evening to makepreparations for the coming rain. 2011 is expected to be thesecond-wettest year in Philadelphia history by the week’s end.Organizers sought donations of tarps and plastic bins to cover foodand medical supplies, umbrellas and ponchos for protesters and palettesto put under tents.“It’s about sustainability,” a woman from the food committee said.“We need to cover the food and other supplies to make sure they don’t goto waste.”In the meantime, police presence around the campsite was noticeably increased yesterday.Police said that their show of force was due to the fact that, aftera long holiday weekend, the mayor and the judiciary were back in CityHall. “It’s a safety issue,” one officer said. “This is a majorgovernment building.”The sleep-in has reportedly cost the city $164,000 in police overtime so far.Ironically, Occupy Philly plans to march today to a nearby WellsFargo and present a bill for millions in public dollars spent in swapagreements that could have gone to the city and school district. Theywill also join city property workers’ union 32-BJ in a rally as theyexit City Hall following a resolution hearing at City Council.
