Protest Sign Picasso: Crafting an an effective protest sign

How to Create a Protest Sign That Makes a Difference: Tips and Tricks

One of the privileges of living in a democratic society is the right to gather in groups to hold peaceful demonstrations in an effort to pressure governments and the powerful to create social change. There are many tools that a protester can use to supplement their gathering such as Bull horns, flags, body art and burning effigies. But, nothing is as familiar as protest signs.

Here are steps in creating an effective protest sign.

How To Create a Protest Sign

Step 1) Have material to brainstorm or write down what you’d like your sign to say. Jot it down on a piece of paper. Use a pencil, so as to be able to erase and revise your poster slogan along the way. If you do not have paper, you can use any piece of paper, or even a wall.

If you do not have a pencil or eraser, or a pencil with an eraser, then consider purchasing or acquiring the stationary as the true- step#1.

Once these supplies have been procured, proceed to step number 1, or at that point which would be step #2. However, to cover any ambiguity or conflict to differentiate between people who do have the supplies to begin with, with the people that don’t have it, we can consider this next step as step #1.5.

Step#1.5 or 2 (See above for clarification.) Come up with a catchy slogan, statement, or derogatory comment that will be engaging and look good on print media, or perhaps in the protest organizers blogs.

Ensure that your spelling is accurate, unless your slogan is a pun, then no need for the accuracy.

A poster with proper spelling, not only looks professional, but gives the subliminal impression that you- the protestor is a person who pays attention to detail and because of this detail, your issues may deserve the respect to be heard, because a person who is detail oriented should be detailed in their research of the issues that they are protesting to begin with.

Correct spelling will also allow you to reach a broader audience. People won’t dismiss you as being unintelligent, or just “speaking” to a segment of people that would only know your lingo or language. Ensure your language is appropriate for mainstream media, as curse words will not get you on the real news, unless you decide to use hate speech.

In that case, ensure that your words are clearly written, legible, and your poster has a flag of your respective nation or region. This will engage fellow community members. Allowing them to feel like it is not pure bigotry, but a matter of civic pride. Make effective use of specific examples, citing victims to help underscore the importance of the protest. The more critically injured, or deceased examples are best. Living examples should only be used if they were once attractive and tragically mamed or deformed somehow.

Step2) Know about the issue you are about to protest and participate in public outrage for. Read something other than emotionally charged websites or message boards from people who can’t be held accountable for crappy journalism, or fired by their employer for a lack of journalistic integrity.

If you feel the mainstream media does not give you the whole truth - at least you are getting a happy medium of answers from them.

If you do get interviewed by someone, you should be well versed in the issues at hand, and you will have something memorable to shout at the police, during the event.

Step3) Get your children involved with you. There are fewer things sweeter than a parent and child spending quality time together…Before the parent gets tear gassed by riot police and thrown into jail, while professional protesters and anarchists, funded by external states, move on to the next Canadian city for a playoff hockey riot.

Go to the hardware store and purchase the shittiest piece of wood that snaps in the wind or under the weight of the sign. Use stiff corrugated plastic or cardboard with sharp edges, just in case you need to protect yourself, or assault - counter protestors by swinging the sign and inducing violent stinging paper cuts.

The corrugated plastic is stiff, so it can also be used as a shelter if the weather turns bad at the demonstration. It can also be used by local homeless once you have left and abandoned the sign as litter at the protest site.

Consider this an opportunity to create extra revenue by placing an advertisement on your protest sign. Typically, local diners or auto body shops are great businesses to solicit for sponsorship.

Step4) Transporting your sign to the protest. If you are using a small vehicle, lay it on the back seat, roll down the window, and let the wooden end stick outside. Be careful not to poke out the eye of the Taco Bell employee at the drive through, when you go for your pre-demonstration Taco Bell Big Box.

Happy Protesting!

Icons Of Protest

The Most Famous Picket Signs in History

Throughout history, picket signs have served as powerful symbols of dissent and calls for change. These humble placards, often adorned with carefully chosen words and images, have played a crucial role in countless social and political movements. From civil rights to gender equality, environmental protection to labor rights, picket signs have helped activists communicate their messages to the world. Let's take a closer look at some of the most famous picket signs ever wielded in the name of justice and progress.

"I AM A MAN" - Civil Rights Movement, 1968

The "I AM A MAN" sign became an enduring symbol of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. Used during the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968, African American sanitation workers carried these signs to demand better wages and working conditions. This simple yet powerful statement affirmed their humanity in the face of systematic racism. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously supported the strike and its use of these signs, emphasizing the importance of equality and dignity for all.

"Silence=Death" - AIDS Activism, 1980's

During the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, the iconic "Silence=Death" sign emerged as a symbol of urgency and activism. Designed by the activist group ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), this bold pink triangle sign conveyed the message that inaction and silence regarding the AIDS epidemic amounted to death sentences for countless individuals. It ignited a worldwide movement to adress the crisis, reduce stigma, and demand research and treatments.

"WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS" - Women's March, 2017

In 2017, following the inauguration of President Donald Trump, millions of people worldwide participated in the Women's March, and a striking sign emerged as a rallying cry: "WOMEN'S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS.' This sign, held by countless marchers, echoed the sentiments of Hillary Clinton's iconic 1995 speech in Beijing, emphasizing the need for gender equality and human rights. It symbolized a resurgence of the feminist movement and a call to action for gender equality.

"THERE IS NO PLANET B" - Climate Change Protests, Ongoing

As climate change continues to be a pressing global issue, the sign "THERE IS NO PLANET B" has become a mantra for environmental activists. Often seen at climate strikes and demonstrations worldwide, this sign underscores the urgency of addressing climate change. It reminds us that Earth is our only home and that protecting our planet is a shared responsibility."

"LABOUR CREATES ALL WEALTH" - Labor Movement, Various Times

The labor movement has pronounced numerous memorable picket signs over the years. One notable slogan is "LABOUR CREATES ALL WEALTH." This sign highlights teh contributions of workers' rights. It remains a powerful symbol of teh ongoing struggle for workers' rights and economic justice.

Picket signs are more than just tools of protest; they are visual representations of the hopes, aspirations, and demands of those who wield them These iconic signs have been instrumental in shaping social and political change, challenging injustice, and inspiring unity among diverse groups of people. They serve as a reminder that ordinary individuals can make extraordinary impacts when they stand up for what they believe in. The legacy of these famous picket signs continues to inspire new generations of activists to raise their voices and demand a better world.

From Cardboard To Catalysts

The Impact of Protest Signs

Let's talk about the unsung heroes of social change: protest signs. Yes, those cardboard masterpieces that often look like they were crafted by a three-year-old with a glus stick addiction. But let me tell you something, my friends, these seemingly insignificant scraps of cardboard can pack a punch more powerful than a Mike TYson haymaker. They're the pocket sized amplifiers of our collective voice, the unsung heroes of free speech, and boy, do we need 'em.

You see, when it comes to making a statement, it's not just about what you say, but how you say it. And that's where the protest sign comes in. It's like the sassy punctuation mark at the end of a sentence that says, "Hey, world, listen up!" Now, you might think you need a Ph.D. in graphic design to make a sign that counts, but you'd be wrong. The most effective signs are often the simplest ones. A bold, black Sharpie, a piece of cardboard, and a message that hits harder than your ex's breakup text... That's all you need.

Let's talk about the power of television and print. When you see a protest on the news or in a magazine, what's the first thing you notice? The signs, my friends! Those signs are like the opening act for the main event. They set the tone, they make you laugh, they make you think, and sometimes they make you cringe (but that's a topic for another day).

Remember the "Make America Great Again" hats? They were like little red protest signs. Whether you loved 'em or hated 'em, you couldn't ignore 'em. And that, my friends, is teh power of a well crafted message on a humble piece of cardboard. It grabs your attention and doesn't let go.

Now, let's not forget the impact on passerby's on the street. You're walking don the sidewalk, minding your own business, and then BAM! You see a sign that says, "This is the End of the Line for the Line Dance," and suddenly your day is a little bit brighter. You might even chuckle, and in that moment, you've connected with a stranger who shares your sense of humor or concern.

And what about the classic "Honk If You Love Freedom" sign? It's like a secret handshake for people stuck in traffic. You give that sign a nod of approval, honk your horn like you're auditioning for a traffic jam orchestra, and just like that, you've joined teh silent protest party.

So, my fellow free speech afficionados, let's raise a cardboard salute to the protest signs that make us laugh, cry, and think. They may be pocket sized, but the impact can be larger than life. In a world where we often get lost in teh noise, these little signs are the megaphones of the masses. So, next time you see someone holding a protest sign, remember, they're not just holding cardboard... They're holding a piece of our shared history, our collective hopes, and our dreams for a better world.

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