Activism Gallery

An Ugly Rush!, 1870. Artist: Joseph Swain

An Ugly Rush!, 1870. Woman's Vote Bill. A stout John Bull, the representative of the British people or, in this case, British men, puts his back to the door upon which a number of women pound with their various demands. The previous year, women ratepayers had been given the right to vote in local elections. However, a Bill had recently been introduced proposing that women should be granted a parliamentary franchise. The proposal had been rejected, much to Mr Punch's relief. It is always worth noting how the women activists are presented. With their skirts slightly too short for modesty, they are decorated with rosettes. They are usually depicted as acidic spinsters, embittered, bespectacled, and the complete antithesis of the young woman walking behind this group in the street. She is the epitome of the modest wife, and good mother. From Punch, or the London Charivari, May 28, 1870

© The Print Collector / Heritage-Images

Pinback button for the Black National Political Convention, mid 20th century

The National Black Political Convention, or the Gary Convention, was held in Gary, Indiana in 1972, and provided a space for African-Americans to discuss issues adversely affecting their communities. Among the goals was increasing political representation and raising the number of Black politicians elected to office. As part of the agenda for fundamental change in the context of significant economic and social crisis, the Gary Declaration was issued. It stated that the American political system was failing Black Americans and that the only way to address this problem was to transition to independent black politics. The black button has green and red text which reads [BLACK / NATIONAL / POLITICAL / CONVENTION / MAR. 10, 11, 12, 1972 / GARY, IND.] The word "NATIONAL" is in red, and the rest of the words are green. The back is silver and has a wire pin. There is engraved text on the back which reads [MADE IN U.S.A. / (?) PEND.]. There is a symbol of a circle with an upward arrow going through it. Owned by Jan Bailey (1942-2010)

© Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Pinback button stating "Justice Or Else 10-10-2015", from MMM 20th Anniversary

The Million Man March - a large gathering of African-American men in Washington, D.C., took place on 16 October 1995. It was called by Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, and groups participating included the National African American Leadership Summit, civil rights organizations, and local chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The 20th anniversary march: Justice or Else, was held in Washington, D.C., on 10 October 2015 and was again organised by Louis Farrakhan. Participants rallied in support of police reform and to raise awareness about violence and discrimination against black people. A white pinback button with thick, black text. It reads [JUSTICE], curved along the top, [OR] in the center, and [ELSE], curved along the bottom. Under "or" in thinner text it reads [10-10-2015] in black.;The back is metal and does not have anything on it other than a pin at the top.;There is contact information for the button company along the bottom edge of the button

© Heritage Art/Heritage Images