The Occupy encampments: What are they? Who are they? From national news to blogs across the internet, I have been seeing pictures of rows upon rows of tents lodged precariously in city parks.

So far, hundreds and often thousands have taken to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction with the current sociopolitical climate. These people are part of the more general “Occupy” movement, but surely there is not room for everyone in these tent cities across the country.

Earlier this week, I read that the tent city in St. Louis’s newly renamed “Freedom Square” had recently been evicted. This came along with news of the evictions in New York, Oakland, and other Occupy encampments. My first fear was: This is the end of the movement, it has been shut down! But, to my surprise, the marches and rallies went on unaffected. With that in mind, I set out to discover what role the occupy encampments serve for the movement and who is living in them. Armed only with rumors that the encampments were mostly the homeless and radical anarchists, I set out to put real people and faces in place of these vespers.

On a bright and chilly morning, I arrived in Nashville, TN, home of one of the more persistent and lasting occupy encampments. Nervous, I approached the information desk to ask if and where I could pitch a tent. As I walked, the people passing me smiled warmly and called out with the greeting “Hello brother!” At the information desk, a clearly intelligent young man passionately spoke a few words to the key causes of the Nashville movement and invited me to pitch a tent wherever I liked.

Heading to a quiet corner of the plaza I was struck by the diversity of age, race, and class I saw around me. As the rumors had indicated, there were many homeless, and ragged-looking youth, but there were also many others. That day, I talked with a civil rights lawyer, a young punk activist, a neurologist, a homeless individual, a local restaurant owner, a grad student, and a plumber.

That night, I attended the General Assembly, or GA as the occupiers call it. The GA is a meeting of all the encamped occupiers, the movement’s supporters, and friends of the movement. In Nashville, they meet every day to make proposals, work in small task forces, and share ideas. I was amazed at how respectful folks were of every individual’s right to speak and have their words respected. That evening I saw the words of the homeless inspire as much clapping and support as the words of the group’s elegant and well-dressed lawyer. It was truly a sight to behold.

Through my time in the Occupy Nashville encampment, I have begun to learn the purpose and personage of my temporary new home. The Encampments serve as a place where individuals from all walks of life can come together and meet, all on the same level. They are a think tank, and a mingling ground, in one. I have learned a lot from my fellow humans at the encampment and I look forward to continuing to do so.

If you have not yet been down to one of the occupy camps, I highly encourage you to do so. The best time to get a feel for what is going on is during the general assembly. Look up the time of the GA for your city’s local movement and drop in for a visit.

Reprinted with permission from Ecolocalizer