I am thankful that a movement called “Occupy Wall Street” (OWS) has taken root in New York City. I am thankful the movement has blossomed and spread its branches around the country.

I am thankful the young people of Occupy were so fed up they were willing to keep the protest alive overnight and now continue on in struggle against severe inequalities after multiple months camped out in Zuccotti Park. I am thankful that OWS has said, “We made some missteps, show us how to correct them.” I am thankful OWS also said, “Rob, connect us to the groups doing work with the homeless.”

I am thankful Catherine Lennon was so willing to fight to stay in her home that she became the face of a movement. I am thankful for Take Back the Land Rochester and Ryan Acuff for their willingness to do whatever it takes to keep their community united.

I am thankful a young mother by the name of Marcella Robinson in Raleigh, North Carolina was so motivated to fight back against the people who got us into this economic nightmare that she called me and said, “Show us how to Take Back the Land; we want to do what Catherine Lennon did in Rochester.” I’m thankful Marcella created Mortgage Fraud North Carolina.

I am thankful a young sister in the struggle has risen in Chicago and said “I am willing to take what is rightfully mine.” I am thankful Martha Biggs will enjoy Thanksgiving with her children. I am thankful for the day Martha showed Chicago the way!

I am thankful to be friends with and be mentored by Max Rameau. I am thankful M Adams has shown me how to view the movement through a critical lens.

I am thankful to have met members of Abahlali, the South African Shackdwellers Movement, including their President, S’bu Zikode, and the young lions Mazwi and Minkhelo. I am thankful that Abahlali continues to build a strong movement for the human right to housing.

I am thankful that A Varos Mindenkie and its membership continue to challenge the Hungarian government by empowering homeless people living on the streets of Budapest to tell their stories. I am thankful those same members have trusted me to take their stories to the United Nations.

I am thankful for the relationship I have with Raquel Rolnik, the UN Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing. I am thankful that Raquel continues to echo our voices. I am thankful that Raquel has made me understand that a home is More Than a Roof. I am thankful to have met the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty, Magadelena Sepulveda. I am thankful that her focus is on exposing the injustices of the criminalization of the homeless.

I am thankful that I get to work with people like Paul Boden on an issue that has affected us both personally.

I am thankful that I get to work with all the members of the USA-Canada Alliance of Inhabitants. I am thankful the relationship with USA-CAI was formed organically through a relationship with the International Alliance of Inhabitants.

I am thankful I was chosen to be a Special Advisor to the Campaign to Restore National Housing Rights [1] . I am thankful that I get to work with organizations like the Los Angeles Community Action Network[2]  , Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign[3] , May Day New Orleans[4] , Northeastern Pennsylvania Organizing Center[5]  and Picture the Homeless[6] . I am thankful these groups are willing to push the envelope to actualize the human right to housing.

I am thankful for the people that recognize the work I do. I am thankful to be recognized by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. I am thankful that the NorthStar Fund has asked me to help decide where to place its philanthropic generosity.

I am thankful to the academics that have embraced and supported my work and the work of organizations with which I am connected. I am thankful to academics like Kim Hopper, Frances Fox Piven, Seth Adler, Jill Gerson, Kathleen Hulley, Mark Naison, Neil Smith, Peter Marcuse, William Tabb, Rene Poitevin, Tom Angotti, Rod Bush, Mary Bricker-Jenkins, Gilda Haas, Jackie Leavitt, Kathleen Engel, Lee Goldstein, Michael Stone, and David Harvey.

I am thankful to Tiffany Gardner who made me understand that a movement must be led by those directly affected. I am thankful to Tiffany and her partner Sean for allowing me to be a part of their son Solomon’s life. I am thankful to know the McKinney sisters.

I am thankful for New York City-based groups like CAAAV, Community Voices Heard, Mothers on the Move, GOLES and Families United for Racial and Economic Equality. I am thankful for the friendship I have built with Valerie Jean. I’m thankful that our voices are heard in a real way through the work of People’s Production House.

I am thankful to all the women of color in the movement that have mentored me and guided me. I am thankful to know Ejim Dike and Sunita Patel. I am thankful that Cathy Albisa had the vision to say her role as a lawyer is to support the people on the ground organizing a movement for real change. I am thankful Cathy has created the organization, the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI ). I am thankful that the staff and interns of NESRI have become an extended family to me. I am thankful that I had the support of my extended family when I lost my baby sister in October. I am thankful my sister is no longer suffering from the effects of sickle cell anemia and diabetes.

R.I.P. Deidre

Happy Thanksgiving to all!