Historic July 4th Protest Posters Mirror Today's Issues

Forbes

04-07-2025

"Sixth Annual Fourth of July Smoke-In" created by Peter Bramley. Offset, 1975, Washington, DC Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
To mark the Fourth of July, the Center for the Study of Political Graphics (CSPG) has selected over a dozen political art posters that illustrate the holiday's history through protest, labor and class struggles, and demands for social justice, civil rights and protections for Democracy.
'Some of these posters are more than 50 years old, and yet the issues are the same,' says Carol Wells, founder of CSPG, which is based in Culver City.
Founded in 1999, CSPG has amassed more than 90,000 posters from 100 countries. The organization recently expanded its website and now has close to 30,000 searchable political posters online. Its newest exhibition is 'Subvertisements: Using Ads & Logos for Protest & Solidarity, ' on display at Mercado la Paloma in downtown Los Angeles through July 11. According to press materials, the posters 'remix and parody well-known logos and advertisements to draw attention to social issues.'
The 1975 poster, 'Sixth Annual Fourth of July Smoke-In, ' features founding father Benjamin Franklin smoking a reefer. It's a call for the sixth-annual Fourth of July music concert at the ellipse between the White House and the Washington Monument.
'Marijuana use became a symbol of the counterculture beginning in the 1960s, and many posters were produced to promote its use,' Wells says. Peter Bramley created the poster—he was first art director of the National Lampoon magazine. In 1967, Bramley and two friends founded New York City-based Cloud Studio, which blended three aesthetics: comics, commercial illustration and theater. Bramley died at age 60 in 2005.
"Demonstrate July 4th. At the USS Coral Sea!" created by Rachael Romero / San Francisco Poster Brigade. Offset, 1980. San Francisco, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
The following year, in 1976, Peace Press distributed a blue and white poster for a rally in Salazar Park, Los Angeles. It called for 'a bicentennial without colonies, freedom for all oppressed nations, full democracy and equality and jobs with a decent standard of living.'
"4th Of July 1976" created by Peace Press; Artworks. Offset, 1976. Los Angeles, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
'The demands in this nearly 50-year-old bicentennial poster could have come from current demonstrations taking part across the country,' Wells says.
"Born on the 4th of July" created by Repetitive Press; Jon Orlando; Celebrate People's History: IVAW Project Organizers; Justseeds Silkscreen, 2014 Toronto, Canada Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
A black-and-white poster featuring anti-war activist Ron Kovic was created in 2014 by Repetitive Press and Justseeds artists' cooperative. Jon Orlando took the photograph. Kovic, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was wounded and paralyzed in the Vietnam War. His best-selling 1976 memoir, Born on the Fourth of July, was adapted into a 1989 film of the same name, starring Tom Cruise. In the poster, Kovic is surrounded by uniformed soldiers and veterans making the peace sign to express their opposition to war.
"Frederick Douglass: What, To The American Slave, Is Your Fourth Of July?" Artist Unknown. Offset, circa early 2000. United States Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics Satirizing Wealth And Power
A 1939 William Gropper poster shows a child with a box of rockets labeled 'free assembly' and 'free press.' He holds a 'free speech' sparkler up to a pole where bureaucrats, bankers and millionaires have scrambled up, fearful of what the small boy holds.
"Free Speech" created by William Gropper. Offset, circa 1939. New York, NY Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
'This cartoon was made for the New Masses (1926-1948), an American Marxist magazine,' Wells says. 'William Gropper was a regular contributor. Although the graphic is over 85 years old, the issues it depicts could be taken straight out of today's headlines.'
Gropper (1897-1977) was also a satirical cartoonist for the New York Tribune , and contributed to Vanity Fair.
"Independence For Puerto" created by Rico Puerto Rico Solidarity Committee; Gonna Rise Again Graphics Silkscreen, circa 1976. San Francisco, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
"Independence Day Celebration for Indochinese and Americans." Artist unknown, offset, circa 1973. Los Angeles, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
"Women's Encampment for a Future of Peace & Justice" created by Tower Press. Offset, 1983. New York, NY Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
A Whittier College 1973 poster shows President Richard Nixon in caricature, his face swarmed by protesters carrying signs demanding an end to the Vietnam War. 'The hope, as expressed in the poster, is that the U.S. Independence Day would also be an independence day for Indochina, bringing peace and justice to citizens of both countries,' Wells says.
"Smash Colonial Violence" TF; July 4 Movement to Free Dessie Woods. Created by Inkworks Press. Offset, Circa 1976. Printed in San Francisco, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
"March and Rally" created by Juan Fuentes, Fits Printing. Offset, circa 1976. San Francisco, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics A Poster Tied To Berkeley's 'People's Park.'
A 1969 'Berkeley Independence Day' poster was produced shortly after the violent confrontation in 'People's Park' at the University of California, Berkeley. Students occupied the park in defiance of university plans to develop it. More than 6,000 people clashed with police and sheriffs who fired buckshot and tear gas into the crowds. One protester was permanently blinded, another killed, and many injured. The day became known as 'Bloody Thursday.'
"Berkeley Independence Day" created by Frank Cieciorka; Gary Grimshaw; Jellyroll Press Offset, 1969. Berkeley, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
The poster exemplifies the 'peace and love' ethic of the time with a soldier standing in solidarity with a civilian.
"Free Berkeley" Artist Unknown. Silkscreen, circa 1970. Berkeley, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
"March for Justice and Freedom for All Immigrants and Refugees" created by Roberto R. Pozos; POZOS Graphic Design. Offset, 1986, San Diego, CA Image courtesy of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics
The 1986 poster 'March for Justice and Freedom for All Immigrants and Refugees' shows the Statue of Liberty framed by barbed wire. 'Every demand in this nearly 40-year-old poster could have come from the streets of Los Angeles during demonstrations in June,' Wells says. She cites the calls to action: Justice and freedom for immigrants and refugees.
A stop to border violence.
A stop to human exploitation.
A stop to discrimination and harassment.
The granting of political asylum/refugee status.
A stop to scapegoating; the acknowledge of immigrant contributions.
Wells draws attention to the poster's quotes that she believes are 'still powerful and relevant.' Among them: "Fighting for social justice, it seems to me, is one of the profoundest ways in which man can say yes to man's dignity..." —Cesar Chavez
"...we must not only tolerate differences between individuals and between groups, but we should indeed welcome them and look upon them as an enriching of our existence ..." — Albert Einstein
Roberto R. Pozos of POZOS Graphic Design created the poster.