As protests continue across the United States, people have been taking to the streets to protest the racism embedded in the fabric of this country. The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis was the catalyst for such activism in 2020, but recent murders have spurred righteous anger again. Some of the latest injustices include that of 13-year-old Adam Toledo and 20-year-old Daunte Wright—and Wright was killed while the trial of Derek Chauvin for Floyd's murder was going on. As the protesters have indicated many times over, this is just one of many, many acts of injustice against Black voices and bodies that have occurred over centuries. These placards, signs, and banners 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.
Scott OlsonGetty Images
1 of 48
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
This Martin Luther King Jr. quote (one that hasn't been used as often until recently) speaks to the importance and significance of the protests.
SOPA ImagesGetty Images
2 of 48
Reno, Nevada
A Black girl says it simply and beautifully: She matters.
Stephen ZennerGetty Images
3 of 48
Columbus, Ohio
A small twist on the iconic statement—to remind people that it's no less true today even with increased visibility around systemic racism.
KEREM YUCELGetty Images
4 of 48
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Simple, to the point, and aimed directly at the source.
KEREM YUCELGetty Images
5 of 48
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
Some of the protesters referenced recent victims of police brutality— including this beautiful painting of Daunte Wright.
Mark MakelaGetty Images
6 of 48
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Reinforcing the importance of language—and underscoring the value of Black lives.
Underscoring of the true purpose behind demonstrations, this sign also points out the fallacy about violence and protests.
NurPhotoGetty Images
9 of 48
Toronto, Canada
A young woman holds up a sign expressing the sacredness of BIPOC lives and bodies.
Ira L. Black - CorbisGetty Images
10 of 48
New York, NY
A male protester holds a flower and wonders, "Am I next?"
Ira L. Black - CorbisGetty Images
11 of 48
New York, NY
An important point, noted here and on a number of signs: Protesting is important. So is voting to continue working for change, at both the local and national levels.
VIEW pressGetty Images
12 of 48
Madrid, Spain
A bit profane, if you happen to be protesting with your kids, but one I enjoyed very much. Honestly, though.
Jeff J MitchellGetty Images
13 of 48
Edinburgh, Scotland
Goodest boy ever? Goodest boy ever. (Also worth pointing out the nice counterpoint to "All Lives Matter" on the left.)
SOPA ImagesGetty Images
14 of 48
New York, NY
A young woman implores for equality for her future kids.
ROBERTO SCHMIDTGetty Images
15 of 48
Washington, D.C.
An excerpt from a classic James Baldwin quote: "To be a Negro in this country and to be relatively conscious is to be in a rage almost all the time."
NurPhotoGetty Images
16 of 48
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
A Black woman holds a sign asking for respect of Black people—in the same way that Black culture is accepted (and even glorifeid) by society.
SOPA ImagesGetty Images
17 of 48
New York, NY
A woman holds a sign reading, "You can't kill us all" as she puts her head out of the roof deck of a car.
NurPhotoGetty Images
18 of 48
Krakow, Poland
A young woman lays it all out: Every Black life matters, and all Black lives matter.
Anadolu AgencyGetty Images
19 of 48
Washington, D.C.
This sign references the death of Floyd, and the delay in arresting the Minneapolis officer who killed him.
MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty ImagesGetty Images
20 of 48
Boyertown, PA
A young woman makes a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic (and wears a mask to practice safety measures) but alludes to Floyd's words: "I can't breathe."
Anadolu AgencyGetty Images
21 of 48
Washington, D.C.
Even though many of the signs referenced Floyd, others referenced female BIPOC lives lost, including Breonna Taylor, and how their lives matter too.
NurPhotoGetty Images
22 of 48
Krakow, Poland
And another protester calls her out by name, over a heartbreaking portrait.
LOGAN CYRUSGetty Images
23 of 48
Charlotte, NC
A note of levity among the more serious: Even "Karens" can help in the movement.
MARK FELIXGetty Images
24 of 48
Houston, TX
A white man stands for Black Lives Matter and against racism in Texas.
SOPA ImagesGetty Images
25 of 48
Barcelona, Spain
A protester notes that this is not a sign of division between races, but a sign of unity against racial injustice.
SOPA ImagesGetty Images
26 of 48
New York, NY
A woman wonders, "Who do you call when the police murder?"
ISABEL INFANTESGetty Images
27 of 48
London, England
Two women, one Black, one white, have a pair of signs that speak volumes.
NurPhotoGetty Images
28 of 48
Toronto, Canada
A man presents an ultimatum.
Ira L. Black - CorbisGetty Images
29 of 48
New York, NY
A wordless painting saying a thousand words: A closed fist, a sign of support and resistance, that turns into a rose.
Katherine J IgoeKatherine’s a Boston-based contributing editor at Marie Claire online who covers celebrity, fashion, entertainment, and lifestyle—from “The Bachelor” to Everlane to Meghan Markle.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io