Sage, who is 11 years old, shares her thoughts on child labor and holiday shopping.

We are the 99 percent, and we run this town. We are the 99 percent, and we own this city. We are the 99 percent, and the CEOs are the 1 percent – not us, not now, never will we be the 1 percent.

Who is the 99 percent? Is it the corporations? Is it the factories in China, Vietnam, Malaysia, or Korea using child labor and getting away with it? Is it Walgreens, Walmart, Target, or Best Buy? Well I can tell you that if you knew more about Target, Walmart, or other big box stores, it might not be the best “target” to hit for buying a present for the holidays. Because for the child that you might be buying that present for, there is a child the same age making toys and shoes in China. How much do you know about the products you are buying?

Or even worse at Best Buy or Walmart you might be buying something for a friend of yours, but stop and think. There is a boy or girl the same age as your friend making this product in Vietnam while another child 5 or 6 is making a recorder in China. Workers in unions help protect against child labor. Many big box stores are anti-union. Be a smart shopper. Shop union, shop 99 percent.

So now you know it’s our time to be the 99 percent.

According to the Stop Child Labor Coalition, the number of children across the globe between 5 and 14 years old who work is 150 million. Learn more at www.stopchildlabor.org.