How to make a sign in ten minutes with just cardboard and tape.
How to make signs and one hundred reasons why you should. (not even mentioning Trump.)
Things seem to be happening very quickly now and we have to be prepared to respond. The first amendment right to full and unfettered political speech is far and away the most powerful right we have, and when the founders of this country gave it to us it was precisely for the kind of situation we’re in now. Remember, for the purposes of political expression, public property is YOUR property, and any fence, wall, tree or post is a place you can put up a sign expressing your political opinion. I have done it on freeways literally thousands of times and never been charged or arrested. (Link is to my weblog where you can browse through the photographic evidence of my work over the years. Signs posted: 7,250. Number of times caught by law enforcement officials and asked to take a sign down: roughly ten. Charges, fines or arrests: 0)
Here are the rules: You can’t advocate violence or otherwise threaten or harm people. Signs must be easily removed: anything permanent or damaging like carving or graffiti is considered vandalism and illegal regardless of the message. You can’t sell anything: commercial speech is not protected. People who’ve held signs on overpasses will be familiar with police claiming their lawful and patriotic act to be a hazardous distraction to drivers. This is a bullshit argument on any freeway that has billboards or any advertisements, and while it’s easily argued against in court, I’ve found it easier to simply avoid entirely by not being there in the first place. Signs should be placed against the inside of the fencing and strapped in place with bungee cords and duct tape, as shown below. Ten seconds and you’re gone.
It’s obvious Trump knows by now that he and his family are in deep, deep trouble, and whether it’s firing Mueller, starting a war, or declaring martial law, we’re fools to think there’s anything he won’t do in order to save himself. And while we’re all getting ready to take to the streets, at least some of us need to be willing to take to the freeways. Traditional organized protests are good as far as they go, but severely limited in terms of broadcasting a clear message. Apart from bystanders, they still require media coverage to reach a significant audience. This not only gives the media final say on the message, but the ability to give a handful of counter protesters on a street corner coverage comparable to the thousands in the streets. Not to mention their unfortunate tendency to label as “violent” 10,000 peaceful protesters if one guy breaks a window. Without the media, one person putting signs on freeways is more effective semiotically than thousands holding signs in the same place at the same time. And, as I’ve said time and time again, it costs almost nothing and is a hell of a lot of fun.
Along with the freeways, I’ll post here as often as I can and we can discuss the pros and cons of various messages, calling for impeachment (I say yes for now, we can take care of Pence next...)
I’ve been doing this for years and have learned a lot. Follow me on twitter for progress and other bits of how to, strategy and tactics.
Yours, Freewayblogger