Crafting Resistance: The Protest Banner Lending Library

This post is part of an ongoing series highlighting modern and historical craftivists who inspire action through creativity.

I found out about this amazing craftivist project while reading Let’s Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers by Shannon Downey. The Protest Banner Lending Library is such a powerful concept—and an incredible resource for aspiring craftivists.

It was founded in 2017 by artist and activist Aram Han Sifuentes, in response to the 2016 election and the anti-immigrant policies of the Trump administration. What started in her apartment as a personal act of resistance grew quickly into a full-on movement.

“I started to make protest banners in my apartment. I then started to invite friends over to make banners with me because I needed to feel a sense of community.” — Aram Han Sifuentes

She began hosting public workshops that teach folks how to sew protest banners, while also creating a welcoming, inclusive space for connection and support. Best of all? You can actually borrow a banner to take to your own protest.

🌍 Where You’ll Find It

The Protest Banner Lending Library now has installations in:

Chicago
Boston
St. Louis
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Ithaca
Charleston, IL
Normal, IL
Los Angeles
Toronto
London
The Netherlands
Sweden

And if you’re not near one of those places? No worries. The project’s site includes step-by-step instructions to make your own banner, and you can even submit your own protest slogans to be used in future creations.

✊ Get Involved

Sifuentes has an incredible archive of banners on her website—some fierce, some funny, all beautifully made. I highly recommend heading over for some inspiration, or reach out if you’d like to literally check one out for an upcoming protest or event.

👉 Visit the Protest Banner Lending Library