Creative Protest Materials

Throughout time, a constant method to make one's point known during a protest is the utilization of materials to create a powerful and memorable impact. While signs, chants, and other basic forms of protest proved effective in the Wisconsin Uprising, some of the more notable and drastic methods of protest were the ones covered and broadcasted throughout media and through word of mouth. Thus, unique materials employed by the Wisconsin protestors created an environment in which both new and old arguments were heard and processed. Some protestors made use of music, and brought instruments into the Capitol building. The songs created and played became powerful motivators for those around, while still forcefully portraying a prevailing message about the movement. Many dressed up in costume to emphasize the ridiculous nature of the bill and show that the more ridiculous the costume the more likelihood of the individual getting noticed. Animals became token message carriers, and due to the nature of how approachable many felt dogs were, the signs they carried were read by many. Those in costume also added held items such as skulls to further emphasize how much they detested the bill. Costume was even utilized for statues near the Capitol, such as a Guy Fawkes mask notable from the movie "V for Vendetta", a nod to power to the people. Protestors even took advantage of the cold snowy weather through building snowmen to carry signs. Due to the proximity to the Capitol building, it was nearly impossible not to notice the snowmen and their messages. Protestors began adding twists to their signs to enhance the creativity and power of their messages. Some puns played on Scott Walker's name by attaching Scott toilet paper to their sign, thus adding a level of humor and allowing more people to want to read the message. The same went for creating signs shaped like robots that were a new twist on a timeless piece of protest. Hence forth, utilizing different forms of material both adds a level of interest to the typical type of protest materials, and creates a space for new methods more likely to get noticed in an ever changing and upgrading society.