September 17, 2011 was the day the Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement formed in defiance of the inequality, greed and corruption demonstrated by governments and corporations. The Occupy movement as a whole also officially began on this day, with many other cities starting branches of Occupy in solidarity with OWS in New York. Citizens across the country and world have experienced arrest, injury and even death in the name of the movement. Hundreds of thousands of protestors across the country and world have identified and continue to identify with Occupy’s purposes.

So why is September 17, 2012 such a big deal?

It marks the one-year anniversary of the movement, and OWS and its satellites across the country are celebrating and pressing the message of anti-austerity throughout the day, tomorrow.

For my local readers, Occupy Chicago is rallying, marching and communicating their message of “resistance and hope” tomorrow night, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Congress and Michigan.

On the east coast, OWS is having many different events throughout the weekend and day tomorrow to raise awareness and celebrate. They are also posting live news updates of their efforts on their Twitter, @OccupyWallSt.

So why should you care and get involved?

The fact that this movement is still operating with such organization and power behind it one year after its commencement proves that it is not to be taken lightly or ignored. All of the 99% needs to come together to combat inequality. Onlookers and citizens who view the movement as radical need to educate themselves and investigate what the movement is all about and how it operates.

Apathy toward Occupy’s motives and efforts is just as harmful to the nation as the greed of the 1%. In Occupy, we have a chance to rise up against the inequality and injustice of poverty and the declining quality of life for the lower and middle classes. We do not have to settle for melancholy lives of being taken for granted and for ignorant by politicians and big businesses. We are the foundation of everything the 1% knows, and we do not have to submit to these lives of degradation and hopelessness.

Go to your local Occupy events, give the movement a chance and promote true change. If the movement grows in numbers, it also grows in strength. The passionate leaders among us cannot carry all of our weight. We must unite to be sure the movement continues until our voices are heard and recognized.