Occupy Philadelphia: Get Away From Your Televisions. Become the 99 Percent With a Voice.

Images, video and text by Brittney Bowers.

It was a gorgeous fall morning in Philadelphia, the type of morning that I take advantage of to walk around the city and photograph.  However, Thursday was different. I had a nervous pit in my stomach as I walked down South Broad Street. My destination: City Hall for Occupy Philadelphia.

I am a supporter of the movement but after watching video clips of police’s treatment of protesters in New York City, I didn’t know what was going to happen or what I was getting myself into.

As I turned the corner, I saw the crowd and realized this is where I was meant to be. People from different economic and social backgrounds formed together in a group of unity, love and determination. We all stood together, made up of our differences, but for this moment we were all the same. We are the 99 percent and we demand change.

As I walked around City Hall amongst the 99 percent, I realized I have nothing to fear. This is the City of Brotherly Love at its finest. This isn’t the same city that is plagued with flash mobs and murders.

Maybe Occupy Philly is a change the city needs.

Couches are set up around the concourse where college students discuss politics. Revolutionaries take a break by doing yoga.  I spotted a family with three children under the age of 9, all holding protest signs. I saw a young man give his leftover French fries to a homeless woman. Drivers beeped their horns as they circled past City Hall to show their support. I heard guitars and a tambourine and my ears led me to the sound. I found myself standing in the center of a musical jam session, dancing with strangers.

The day rolled on and the unity grew stronger.  Sitting through the first general assembly of the day, shivers went down my spine with each speech. I started the day as a supporter from a distance, but as the day drew to a close, I proudly became a part of the movement.

Get away from your televisions. Back away from your laptops. Leave your home and head to City Hall. Become the 99 percent with a voice.

This is history and it’s happening right before your eyes. Get educated. Get involved.