Unforgettable Black Lives Matter Protest Signs

"A riot is the language of the unheard."

Unforgettable Signs From the Protests
(Image credit: Getty/Anadolu Agency)

In recent months and years, people have taken to the streets to protest the racism embedded in the fabric of the United States. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis was the catalyst for such activism in 2020, but recent deaths have spurred righteous anger once more. Some of the latest injustices include the police killings of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and 20-year-old Daunte Wright, in addition to the sharp uptick in violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Sadly, these are just a few examples of the countless acts of racial injustice that continue to plague this country. The placards, signs, and banners in this article range from snarky and funny to poignant and devastating, but they all have one thing in common: They're strong, sometimes wordless statements against brutality and injustice. If you're looking for sign ideas for your next protest, there are some great ideas here (and here's how to keep yourself safe).

Content warning: Some of these signs display words like "murder" and "kill," and others center around violence against BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) generally or specifically. While awareness and advocacy are both important, so is self-care, so be careful if you think these subjects will trigger you in any way.

Katherine J. Igoe
Contributor

Katherine’s a Boston-based contributor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle—from “Clueless” to Everlane to news about Lizzo. She’s been a freelancer for 11 years and has had roles with Cosmopolitan and Bustle, with bylines in Parents, Seventeen, and elsewhere. It’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.