PHILADELPHIA -- U.S. groups with the Occupy movement against economic inequality are gathering this weekend for a national conference that will continue through the Independence Day holiday on July 4.
Organizers say about 1,500 protesters are expected in Philadelphia for marches and other events in the city where the Declaration of Independence was adopted more than two centuries ago.
The Occupy movement has slipped from the headlines since a series of police raids months ago on its protest encampments in major cities around the U.S., including a dramatic sweep of the original camp near Wall Street in downtown New York.
Since then, Occupy protesters have lent their voices to other demonstrations in New York and elsewhere but have been unable to bring together the thousands-strong marches seen at the height of the movement in late 2011.
Philadelphia police will increase their presence to monitor next week's protests, Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said.
Meanwhile, the conservative Independence Hall Tea Party Association is planning its annual celebration in the city July 4 and expects up to 2,000 people, said association co-founder Don Adams.
Mayor Michael Nutter said he supports the rights of all the groups to exercise free speech, but he wants them to be peaceful.
"No one has the right to act like an idiot," Nutter said.
