Dear Occupy Nashville, Thank you for fulfilling your civic duty, for telling your truth, for standing up for the little guys–most of us are they little guys. Thank you for being passionate, for being brave, for sacrificing for those of us who just cannot. Thank you for being peaceful, for honoring the Spirit of our uber friendly city. Thank you for giving voice to and living the change that must come. You are powerful, you are appreciated. Enjoy the scones and the clementines, Leisa A. Hammett, Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4, '11

Honestly? I wasn't sure quite what to make of the Occupy Wall Street movement at first. Or, for quite awhile. Especially when I learned it was a melange of political facets. But, over time, I began to digest the essence of the message and I applauded but stayed away even though many I knew were going there, some inviting me to join them. As a mother, I could not risk arrest. But Sunday, at the suggestion of a friend, I was able to deliver some grub to the hungry, grateful protesters.

I believe it is not coincidental that this American movement has formed now at the cusp of 2012. I have come to believe that 2012 is a precipice of change that must come, whether it is Arab Spring, routine environmental rape, corporate greed, or lack of consciousness on ALL OF OUR parts. I was interested to learn that many Europeans are fascinated by the Occupy movement. I gathered it was seen as a bit ironic that we, the land of plenty, the champions of democracy would have such unhappy campers (no pun intended) akin to much of the rest of the world, at least to the degree that is demonstrated by Occupy protesters nationwide. This, and 2012, are about the little people; the abused; the physical earth–even–demonstrating with its' own from of violent protest, saying, yelling: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We must have equality! We must have justice. For. Us. All…And. That. Is. Consciousness Rising!

Special thanks to my new friend Peter Burr, chairman of the Williamson County Democratic Party, for escorting me to Nashville's Legislative Plaza Sunday afternoon. I have walked the beautiful pathway to our state's capitol many times in my own pilgrimages to lobby our legislators on behalf of the rights of individuals with disAbilities, such as my daughter. I have stood listening to stump speeches by democratic party leaders. I have gone simply to admire and photograph the outdoor ambiance, architecture and statuary there. I have browsed the tables and booths of our city's beloved Southern Festival of Books. But, today, the view was different. Colored tents lined the periphery, and mostly young people, some of the most economically disenfranchised in our country right now, along with older compatriots, scattered about the plaza. I enjoyed the opportunity graciously granted to photograph the movement. Rock on, Folks! Power to the Little People! All 99 percent of us!