Here is a short history of Rainforest Action Networks protests from the perspective of a banner maker. I and others have made these banners for this hard hitting group of environmental and social justice activists. Keep in mind, RAN has some money to do these protests. If your group does not, we can come up with a good plan that costs less than some of these, but looks really, really good. Since one of the main reasons for putting up these photos is to show people what banners I am able to make for others, I will say that all the banners and props below, though not ALL made by me, are all things I am able to do for you, or I am able to help you to make them for yourself.
These large banners are hung by seriously trained activists. I have hung giant banners as well, and do train others to do so through the Ruckus Society. www.ruckus.org
Over a certain size we switch to net banners because of the wind. Cutting wind holes in a large banner is more likely to cause tears than help the banner dump wind. Cut holes in a marching banner on the ground, especially those on poles if you want to, that does reduce wind pressure.
One of the first people on the roof during this action threatened to cut the rope of one of the climbers. When he realized there was a person on the rope he was not going to cut it any more, but it was scary.
The climbers are wearing huge red cowboy hats!
I was very excited to get a chance to paint a banner like this. I can hand paint banners with complicated graphics, and I love to do it, but it can cost more just because it takes more time.
This banner is held up by a balloon out of the frame. These balloon banners get the message up over the heads of your crowd of protesters, but the helium balloon does cost some money. Still, it sure looks good!
Above- This is what a digitally printed banner looks like for comparison.
This brilliant (literally) banner was not made by me. It is a SOLAR POWERED banner! Also this was not a "RAN" action but a coalition action if I recall correctly. But I wanted to show what is possible in this 'type' of action- well organized and clearly messaged. Some of these actions are in remote areas and need to stand alone in photos after the fact. This is a good example of an action that does just that.
Here you go- have some messages with your messaging! A balloon banner, nice hand held and a ton of little signs, color themed clothes with messaging on the front and back! There is NO WAY you could mis-understand the point of this protest.
This is another way to get your message out loud and clear. Ground banners can be cheaper than hung banners of the same size because they require less bomb-proof seeming and edges and can be made with cheaper fabric. Plus you are less likely to face arrest than people who rappel of of buildings and bridges.
This banner was 30x70 feet. You can't tell from the helicopter, but the "M" in Mills was SO messed up! Projecting a banner image onto the fabric or laying it out by hand can result in some wiggly lines, but I try to get people to relax about it, because you can 'rarely' see it from the distance needed for the photo. Someone always drips on the banner while painting as well, but usually we can ignore it. This is a HAND MADE banner, and it shows. Up close any way.
This protest is literally pointed at the place where decisions are made about this issue in Canada. Nice.
You can decide for yourself if you like sarcastic protest. I love doing it! but though I am seriously amused by it, I find when I interview passers by they don't have the faintest idea what we are saying. Still, the banner itself is super readable and this is a very refreshing activity if your group is experiencing some burnout. Laughter is a good protest in itself!
Combining theater and a clear banner works well.
We love hand held banners! An advertising pro once told me that just slightly changing a logo to "culture jam" that logo might work online or in hand outs but on the street in protest signs it often just appears to be advertising FOR that company. Keep this in mind when designing your signage, less clever and more direct may work better out on the street. Though I like the "Kleercut" logo anyway!
Its ok if you don't have time to paint your banner, you can do it for the next protest. Don't forget it will need time to dry, so if you think you won't have time to do your banners, have me do them!
The larger banners, above, were sewn and laid out by me and painted on the ground by the community. This is a good way to get people involved in the process of creating a great protest (and save $!) Notice how the yellow signs 'pop'. I can read them all.
A small banner hung at an existing event can get media more easily, (or not, depends- that's "Media Training", we can do that too!) But it is worth a try. As security was trying to take this down people in the crown started chanting "Let Them Stay". I don't know why, just rowdy I guess.
Is that Massey Coal Company head Blakenship right behind this intrepid protester? How did she get that sign in there? Well, with a little warning I can order fabric that will crumple up so small you can get it through almost ANY security and into any meeting.
Never underestimate the power of a Tyvek coverall. Feel free to make the message part of your graphic really BIG. You can even just put one letter per person and remember the order you need to stand in to spell out your message loud and clear.
Double messaging, in the format of theater AND what is written, very nice! Go LUSH cosmetics, good for y'all for taking a stand! (Aren't you freezing?)
Street art, literally on the street in front of Merrill Lynch.
This protest is not RAN, but it does show EXCELLENT messaging!
I always advocate putting bigger banners up on poles, like this one from a 350.org Tarsands protest.
Every inch of this banner was painted. It could have been digitally printed, but RAN chose to have me paint it because they like the look, the feel and the ethics behind supporting a small business. Thank You Rainforest Action Network, I am your biggest fan!
www.ran.org
