Two members of the Occupy Philadelphia protest movement put politics on hold for a day to form a more perfect union -- their own.
Alicia “Ally” Nauss, 24, of Philadelphia and Adam Hill, 27, of Norristown, who met a month ago while working at the information tent at the Occupy Philadelphia encampment next to City Hall, were wed Sunday afternoon before scores of fellow protesters and other onlookers.
“It just made sense,” Nauss said before the ceremony at the encampment. "We met here, we fell in love here, and this is our lives right now. We really believe in this movement.''
Minister Michael Pierce, a fellow Occupy member who officiated as the couple exchanged vows and rings, invited all to witness as the two vowed "to occupy each other.”
“One day you'll be able to tell your grandchildren that on the day you met was the day the world changed, the day the world woke up,” he said as the couple exchanged rings and read vows promising respect, honor, kindness and compassion.
“I now pronounce you two ‘occupied,’" Pierce said to the cheers of onlookers and the silent hands-aloft, finger-waggling movement’s gesture of approval.
The bride wore a backless champagne-colored gown, the groom a dark suit, and her daughter Rhys, 2, who reposed in her mother's arms as vows were exchanged, a pink and white dress and brown boots while clutching a white bunny.
Nauss said the couple have lately been spending about half of the week at the encampment, retreating indoors when Rhys is with them so as not to expose her to any harsh weather. But they probably wouldn't be spending their wedding night there.
“Too many people know where our tents are,” she said.
In fact, they are looking at a change of scenery for their honeymoon -- but not a change in activities.
“We actually are thinking about going and visiting other ‘Occupies’ along the East Coast,” Nauss said, listing Boston, Baltimore, Washington, New York and nearby Norristown as possibilities.
“Just to be able to go there, tell our story, get people amped up about the movement, that's what we're about,” she said. “We really believe in this and what this is about. It's not about us -- it's about people coming together.”
