In Donald Trump’s second administration, public demonstrations are becoming common, even away from major urban centers. There have been many demonstrations in the Finger Lakes.

I was part of a Hands Off! demonstration in Seneca Falls, New York, on April 5. My theory in creating a protest sign was to be comprehensive and to reflect the theme of the nationwide demonstrations. I created a rather large sign on a sheet of poster board:

Whereas my strategy might have been effective in other circumstances, it was not ideal where the audience for my message was occupants of passing cars. There was simply too much information to take in on the fly. Another problem was that my sign was so big that wind threatened to take it out of my hands (or send me aloft like Mary Poppins).

Protesters lined the street for several blocks on April 5.

For a demonstration on May 17, I adjusted my sign strategy in light of my earlier experience. I planned for a smaller sign with a more concise message. The demonstration was to be at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, also in Seneca Falls. Ideally, the message would relate to women’s rights. I took a good deal of time thinking what message I wanted to use. This was my sign:

The message here is ironic, of course, though I feared that some might take it at face value. I was gratified, however, that other demonstrators got the intended message immediately and found it quite amusing. Nevertheless, I worried that passersby at 30 miles per hour were still being presented with too much text requiring too much thought.

Some of protesters lining the street on May 17.

The experience of my two recent demonstrations gave me an idea I hope to implement at my next protest. My idea is to create multiple signs that together make a point that can be taken in easily by passing auto passengers. My inspiration was the Burma-Shave signs of years gone by, signs spaced along the highway that delivered a clever verse to advertise Burma-Shave shaving cream.

My proposed signs should should have a distinctive look and be spaced so that they can be read comfortably from cars passing by at the speed limit. The advantage of such signs is that only a little text need be on each sign, and the text can be large. The disadvantage, of course, is that multiple people are needed to implement this idea by holding up signs.

I’m working on possible verses for my signs. Here are some possibilities. (Each line represents a different sign.)

The rule of law
Is on the ropes
If Donald Trump
Fulfills his hopes.

Though Donald Trump
Acts like a king,
No patriot
Should kiss his ring.

A tariff war
Will cost us money.
The damage done
Just isn’t funny.

Citizens,
Let’s all agree
To never vote
For the GOP.

Trump has nary a plan
To benefit the average man.
For billionaire bros,
He’ll reduce their tax woes,
And screw us whenever he can.

(A friend helped me write the tax-related limerick.)

It might even be cute to add a Burma-Shave sign at the end of the sign sequence, though this would require yet another demonstrator.

Feel free to suggest additional sign sets.

— LED, 5/20/2025

 
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