Occupiers begin July 4 protest in Philly

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PHILADELPHIA, July 1 (UPI) -- Philadelphia police estimated about 200 participants braved the stifling heat to take part in the kickoff of an Occupy protest on Independence Mall.

The crowd was largely peaceful, although a confrontation over the alleged erecting of a tent on park grounds resulted in one arrest and a minor injury to a police officer.

Tents were seen as a potential source of trouble over the course of the five-day event, which parallels July 4 festivities, since organizers had not obtained the necessary permits for an encampment, the Philadelphia Inquirer said Sunday.

Police Inspector Joe Sullivan told the newspaper protesters would be allowed to sack out on the streets provided they did not block pedestrian traffic.

The relatively low-key protest touched on a range of social and political issues and also provided some additional fodder for the many tourists visiting the historical park. The Inquirer said one passerby remarked, "There's hippies everywhere."