We Believe (yard sign)
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We Believe is a yard sign created as a response to Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 United States presidential election. The sign was originally designed by Kristin Garvey, a librarian from Madison, Wisconsin. The signs became popular among American liberals during Trump's presidency.
Original design[edit]
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The sign's design was originally created by librarian Kristin Garvey, of Madison, Wisconsin. Garvey thought of the concept the day after the 2016 United States presidential election, a day she described as more of a sense of loss than after any other election. She designed the sign by thinking of various groups she anticipated would be negatively impacted by Trump's presidency/policies, and attempting to find quotes from liberal activists and politicians in support of such groups.[1]
Popularity[edit]
The sign spread rapidly among liberals during Trump's presidency, becoming an almost ubiquitous presence in liberal areas.[1] Some people and institutions who have attempted to display the sign have come in conflict with homeowner associations and school district associations, which can have rules disallowing political yard signs and symbols, including We Believe yard signs as well as symbols like Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ pride flags as well as Make America Great Again symbols, thin blue line flags, or the Confederate flag or the swastika et al.[2]
The sign has proven popular at protests, including the 2017 Women's March, protests against Trump's Muslim travel and immigration ban, counter-protests at the Charlottesville rally, protests against the Trump administration family separation policy, and the George Floyd protests in 2020.[2]
Variations[edit]
The sign has spawned multiple variations, with various levels of agreement with the original message. Some variations have been sold for-profit, which Garvey has expressed her disapproval of, writing: "I don't want people to make money off of it. If they're donating the money they make, then that's fine".[1]
Parodies of the sign from a right-wing/conservative perspective also exist, including one that promoted the conspiracy theory that the 2020 United States presidential election was stolen, that Epstein didn't kill himself, that Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates are untrustworthy, that Hillary Clinton belongs in prison, and that "media is propaganda". This sign was shared with approval by the Jefferson County, Colorado Republican Party.[3]
See also[edit]
- Black Lives Matter
- Women's rights are human rights
- Open border#Political debate
- Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Mak, Aaron (May 12, 2021). "The Most Inescapable Yard Sign of the Trump Years Fights for Its Post-Resistance Life". Slate. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Taylor, Chris (June 16, 2020). "How one woman's yard sign became a rallying cry for allies". Mashable. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Salzman, Jason (May 20, 2021). "Why It's Worth Writing About a GOP Meme That Mocks a Progressive Yard Sign: 'In This House, We Believe...'". Colorado Times Recorder. Retrieved July 3, 2021.