When the Occupy protests began, I was inspired to contribute my best efforts. As a documentary photographer, this is my activism: to offer these images in the hope that their chronicle of a movement will inspire others to continue to act boldly in the cause of universal justice.

In the interest of historical accuracy, everyone I photographed is included, presented in chronological sequence, and paired with their answer to my question, "What would you change first to make this a better world?

This book, highlighting Occupy Washington, DC, is only one chapter from the full 572 page book of portraits documenting activists from the Occupy movement in twelve cities from eight states across the USA - people like you and me, the 99 percent.

In exchange for collaboration with this essay, each person photographed can request the digital file of their portrait. Read the complete Occupy Portraits in the book section of my website listed below.