#resist diy tutorial firstamendmentdemonstration

My participation in the Women’s March was spur of the moment.  I hadn’t planned on it, but my friends assumed it as if there could be no question.  I was caught up in the plans and found myself downtown on a cold, rainy Saturday morning.  When I got there, it seemed obvious that I should be there, and that I would be doing this as long as necessary.

A local print shop was offering signs, stickers, and t-shirts for donation, and my friends snagged a couple for the march and one for the yard.  

(McCracken will not comply.)

I realized I wanted a better solution for the next march, and I knew there would be a next march and a next march and a next march.  A march for gender inclusivity.  A march for cultural diversity.  A march for science.  

What I needed was a sign I could customize.  And if I could break down the components to fit in a backpack, so much the better.  And in the interest of LEO-compliance, it should be free of wood and metal.  

I scoured Pinterest for a tutorial on such a thing, and came up snake eyes.  The Resistance is young.  So.  Here we are.

DIY Re-usable Protest Sign (’Cuz welcome to 2017.)

Components: 

Peel’n’Stick Whiteboard Paper

Dry-erase markers

A flat piece of cardboard 

Duct tape

A toilet paper roll

A lightsaber.  Yes, a freakin’ lightsaber.  A woman’s place is in the Resistance.

This stuff is amazing.  Measure enough to completely cover the message side of your sign, with some foldover for the edges.

The box my whiteboard paper roll and markers came in was just the right size for showing what democracy looks like.

Start removing the backing, but be patient and take it slow.  

Secure the fold over edge with some festive duct tape and cover a toilet paper roll with same.

Add your telescopic non-weaponized signpost.  (SH-WONNNNNG!)

Add a message and toss some markers in your backpack with your saber and a bottle of water (very important to stay hydrated.)  You are now prepared to exercise your First Amendment Right, regardless of what that day’s message needs to be.  

(This is an English phrase that translates roughly as “I’m as angry as I’ve ever been, and I’m not quite sure what’s going to happen next.”)