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At Occupy Phila., doubly engaged

Members of the Occupy Philadelphia movement protested at banks and other spots around the city Saturday, as they have done consistently since setting up camp last month.

Members of the Occupy Philadelphia movement protested at banks and other spots around the city Saturday, as they have done consistently since setting up camp last month.

But they also took the time for something a little different: planning a wedding.

On Sunday, Alicia Nauss and Adam Hill will exchange vows on the lower level of City Hall. They met working side-by-side at the movement's information tent.

"We were both here from day one," said Nauss. "Sometimes you meet someone and you just know. . . . When that happens so organically, so naturally, that's a sign."

The wedding is an occupation-wide event. As Nauss was being interviewed Saturday, a woman passed by and asked: "Tomorrow, right? We'll be there!"

Nauss, 24, said, "People are so generous and so kind and focused on each other, it's really heartening.

"Our entire wedding is based on people's kindness."

The food committee of Occupy Philly is making a cake, and a friend the couple met at the movement is donating the crystal glasses he used at his own wedding more than 25 years ago.

Hill's two brothers will be his best men; his father will be there as well. Although most of Nauss' family will not be present, her 21/2-year-old daughter will be.

"She sort of chose him, too," said Nauss.

"The first day I met her she ran up and gave me a hug," remembered Hill, 27.

The families of the couple have been supportive, although neither has met the future in-laws.

Michael Pierce, a Baptist minister, philosophy professor, and fellow occupier, will be performing the ceremony.

"We want the entire wedding to embody the movement," Nauss said.

The final wedding planning took place on a beautiful day that came complete with a concert titled "Healing America."

The organizer of the event, Rick Reinhart, described it as a "concert to bring together the arts and music community in the Philadelphia area."

The concert was aimed at raising awareness about arts programs falling victim to budget cuts, Reinhart said.

Many sang and danced to music ranging from rap to reggae. As time went on, more and more came out to the event, dancing and singing in the welcoming sun.

While the weather cooperated Saturday, the oncoming winter has become a topic of conversation among movement members.

"I am definitely worried about the cold," said Travis Lewis, who has camped out for about a month. "I don't like the cold, and how everyone is going to keep warm . . . that is key."

But occupiers said the worries had not eroded the movement's enthusiasm.

Michael Scotko, who has fed a livestream of Occupy Philly since its inception, said, "As an old hippie, I've been waiting for people to rise up."

"A lot of people in my generation are complacent," he said. "It's the kids who are making a fuss and taking a stand. I don't care if they are naive or whatever, they are doing something about this."

While some were listening to music and others prepared for the wedding, still others were engaging in activities more typical of the movement.

Some left to protest banks in light of Bank Transfer Day, trying to get people to transfer their money out of banks and into credit unions.

Another group left to join in solidarity with the Black Is Back Coalition, which was denied a permit to march for their "Stop the Wars and Build the Resistance" rally.

The occupy movement also rose up Saturday in Norristown, where a group gathered in front of the Montgomery County Courthouse.