Diy 'No Kings' Sign Guide: Catchy Phrases, Layouts, and Rally Checklist
By James H. Sterling
Q1: What are local regulations regarding sign sticks and handles at peaceful protests?
A1: Regulations vary widely by city and venue. Many metropolitan police departments and federal facilities explicitly prohibit solid wood sticks thicker than 1/4 inch, as well as metal rods or PVC pipe. To avoid confiscation at security perimeters, use lightweight hollow cardboard tubes, attach fabric handles, or simply hold the placard directly with reinforced hand cutouts.
Q2: How can I make my sign visible at dusk or during night rallies?
A2: Trace your primary lettering with adhesive reflective tape, or outline the perimeter with battery-operated LED micro-wire string lights fastened with clear packing tape. Glow-in-the-dark paint also works well if charged under a bright lamp immediately before the event.
Q3: How do I transport a large poster board without damaging it before the rally?
A3: Build a sandwich fold by scoring the back of the corrugated board down the center, allowing it to close like a book without creasing the painted face. Secure the outer edges with binder clips during transit on public transit, then unfold and insert a stiff cardboard support spar across the fold on site.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
