Philadelphia celebrates America’s birthday with fanfare, cake and protests

Thousands gathered on Independence Mall today to celebrate the Fourth of July by watching a parade and eating cake.  Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter took part in the march, as well as Military members and some of Philadelphia’s diverse cultural organizations.

 

Happy Birthday to America was sung after the parade at the Independence Visitor Center where South Philadelphia’s Termini Bros Bakery supplied a five tier cake and 2,562 cupcakes to distribute to celebrators. A Betsy Ross impersonator was on hand to cut the cake.

Members of the Occupy Movement National Gathering did a little marching of their own through the crowds cheering for peace but no disruption to the parade was caused.  Multiple police officers on every corner down Market Street kept crowds and foot traffic under control during the parade.  Around 3pm Occupiers were seen marching down 6th street towards Independence Hall chanting “we are all people.”