CREATE A CATCHY SLOGAN

Demonstration slogans – whether shouted or painted on placards – must be meaningful and clever. The kind that makes you think and appreciate the courage, creativity, and sense of humour of the demonstrators.

CREATE A SHORT AND SIMPLE SLOGAN!

When organising a demonstration, you need one or more enthusiastic leaders who are ready to speak in public – be the first to shout slogans, speak out, and read declarations and manifestos.

Posters "LATVIANS FOR A GREEN EARTH" and "GLASNOST THIS, GORBY" used at demonstrations in Washington, D.C., c.1990
Posters "LATVIANS FOR A GREEN EARTH" and "GLASNOST THIS, GORBY" used at demonstrations in Washington, D.C., c.1990
Poster "Padomju vara, ārā no Baltijas!". Andris Rūtiņš screen-printed several copies in Washington, D.C.. It was first displayed at a march during Captive Nations Week in 1985. The posters were carried by students from Beverīna Summer Secondary School. These posters were later used again in other demonstrations.
Poster "Padomju vara, ārā no Baltijas!". Andris Rūtiņš screen-printed several copies in Washington, D.C.. It was first displayed at a march during Captive Nations Week in 1985. The posters were carried by students from Beverīna Summer Secondary School. These posters were later used again in other demonstrations.
Posters “Freedom for Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia!” and “Free Latvia” used at JBANC demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the US, 1980s
Posters “Freedom for Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia!” and “Free Latvia” used at JBANC demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the US, 1980s
Plakāti “Freedom for Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia!” (Brīvību Latvijai, Lietuvai, Igaunijai) un “Free Latvia” (Brīva Latvija). Izmantoti JBANC (Joint Baltic American National Committee vai Apvienotā Baltiešu komiteja) demonstrācijās 20.gadsimta 80. gados Vašingtonā un citur ASV. No muzeja “Latvieši pasaulē” krājuma. JBANC dāvinājums.
Plakāti “Freedom for Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia!” (Brīvību Latvijai, Lietuvai, Igaunijai) un “Free Latvia” (Brīva Latvija). Izmantoti JBANC (Joint Baltic American National Committee vai Apvienotā Baltiešu komiteja) demonstrācijās 20.gadsimta 80. gados Vašingtonā un citur ASV. No muzeja “Latvieši pasaulē” krājuma. JBANC dāvinājums.
Posters "GORBACHEV GARBAGE OF THE SOVIET UNION - TAKE YOUR TRASH OUT OF THE BALTIC STATES!" and “THERE ARE NO HOLIDAYS FOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE” used at JBANC demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the US, 1980s
Posters "GORBACHEV GARBAGE OF THE SOVIET UNION - TAKE YOUR TRASH OUT OF THE BALTIC STATES!" and “THERE ARE NO HOLIDAYS FOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE” used at JBANC demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the US, 1980s
Posters "GORBACHEV GARBAGE OF THE SOVIET UNION - TAKE YOUR TRASH OUT OF THE BALTIC STATES!" and “THERE ARE NO HOLIDAYS FOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE” used at JBANC demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the US, 1980s
Posters "GORBACHEV GARBAGE OF THE SOVIET UNION - TAKE YOUR TRASH OUT OF THE BALTIC STATES!" and “THERE ARE NO HOLIDAYS FOR PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE” used at JBANC demonstrations in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere in the US, 1980s
Poster "THE VOICES OF DEMOCRACY CANNOT BE SILENCED" created by Keith Olivier and used at Baltic demonstrations in Washington, D.C., January 1991
Poster "THE VOICES OF DEMOCRACY CANNOT BE SILENCED" created by Keith Olivier and used at Baltic demonstrations in Washington, D.C., January 1991
Poster "Nuclear disarmament must be global! Russia, take your missiles out of the Baltic States!" used at a demonstration against nuclear weapons in Brisbane, Australia, mid-1980s
Poster "Nuclear disarmament must be global! Russia, take your missiles out of the Baltic States!" used at a demonstration against nuclear weapons in Brisbane, Australia, mid-1980s
Poster "Russia, out of the Baltic States!" used at a demonstration against nuclear weapons in Brisbane, Australia, mid-1980s
Poster "Russia, out of the Baltic States!" used at a demonstration against nuclear weapons in Brisbane, Australia, mid-1980s
Poster "WHILE THE WORLD WATCHES KUWAIT, THE BALTIC STATES FACE MASSACRE" used in a demonstration in Brisbane, Australia, January 1991
Poster "WHILE THE WORLD WATCHES KUWAIT, THE BALTIC STATES FACE MASSACRE" used in a demonstration in Brisbane, Australia, January 1991
Poster "Libertad a los paises Balticos" [Freedom for the Baltic nations] created by Ilgvars Ozols and used in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1 July 1990
Poster "Libertad a los paises Balticos" [Freedom for the Baltic nations] created by Ilgvars Ozols and used in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1 July 1990
Latvian flag carried by Ingrīda Meierovics during the Baltic Peace and Freedom Cruise Helsinki demonstration, 1985. These flags were distributed to many demonstrators.
Latvian flag carried by Ingrīda Meierovics during the Baltic Peace and Freedom Cruise Helsinki demonstration, 1985. These flags were distributed to many demonstrators.
Demonstration posters “Solidarität Baltikum” (Solidarity for the Baltics) and “UDSSR von Nobelpreisträger zum Totengräber!” (USSR from Nobel Prize winners to gravediggers!). Created by Vova Zvidriņš on bed sheets. Carried by the Zvidriņš family in demonstrations in Bremen, Germany, early 1990s
Demonstration posters “Solidarität Baltikum” (Solidarity for the Baltics) and “UDSSR von Nobelpreisträger zum Totengräber!” (USSR from Nobel Prize winners to gravediggers!). Created by Vova Zvidriņš on bed sheets. Carried by the Zvidriņš family in demonstrations in Bremen, Germany, early 1990s
Demonstration posters “Solidarität Baltikum” (Solidarity for the Baltics) and “UDSSR von Nobelpreisträger zum Totengräber!” (USSR from Nobel Prize winners to gravediggers!). Created by Vova Zvidriņš on bed sheets. Carried by the Zvidriņš family in demonstrations in Bremen, Germany, early 1990s
Demonstration posters “Solidarität Baltikum” (Solidarity for the Baltics) and “UDSSR von Nobelpreisträger zum Totengräber!” (USSR from Nobel Prize winners to gravediggers!). Created by Vova Zvidriņš on bed sheets. Carried by the Zvidriņš family in demonstrations in Bremen, Germany, early 1990s
Posters "LATVIANS FOR A GREEN EARTH" and "GLASNOST THIS, GORBY" used at demonstrations in Washington, D.C., c.1990
Posters "LATVIANS FOR A GREEN EARTH" and "GLASNOST THIS, GORBY" used at demonstrations in Washington, D.C., c.1990
Poster "RUSSIAN LAW: 1,000,000 BALTS MURDERED AND DEPORTED" used in demonstrations in Washington, D.C., c. 1990
Poster "RUSSIAN LAW: 1,000,000 BALTS MURDERED AND DEPORTED" used in demonstrations in Washington, D.C., c. 1990
Plakāti “SOVIET COLONIAL EXPANSION humiliates U.N.” un “U.N. Abolish COLONIALISM in LITHUANIA, LATVIA, ESTONIA!” izmantoti BATUN (Baltic Appeal to the United Nations) demonstrācijās Ņujorkā un citur ASV. Gads nezināms. No muzeja “Latvieši pasaulē” krājuma. BATUN dāvinājums.
Plakāti “SOVIET COLONIAL EXPANSION humiliates U.N.” un “U.N. Abolish COLONIALISM in LITHUANIA, LATVIA, ESTONIA!” izmantoti BATUN (Baltic Appeal to the United Nations) demonstrācijās Ņujorkā un citur ASV. Gads nezināms. No muzeja “Latvieši pasaulē” krājuma. BATUN dāvinājums.
Plakāti “SOVIET COLONIAL EXPANSION humiliates U.N.” un “U.N. Abolish COLONIALISM in LITHUANIA, LATVIA, ESTONIA!” izmantoti BATUN (Baltic Appeal to the United Nations) demonstrācijās Ņujorkā un citur ASV. Gads nezināms. No muzeja “Latvieši pasaulē” krājuma. BATUN dāvinājums.
Plakāti “SOVIET COLONIAL EXPANSION humiliates U.N.” un “U.N. Abolish COLONIALISM in LITHUANIA, LATVIA, ESTONIA!” izmantoti BATUN (Baltic Appeal to the United Nations) demonstrācijās Ņujorkā un citur ASV. Gads nezināms. No muzeja “Latvieši pasaulē” krājuma. BATUN dāvinājums.
Poster “Freedom for the Baltic States” used at protests in Brisbane, Australia, 28 July 1985. A political demonstration and concert with Baltic songs and dances took place.
Poster “Freedom for the Baltic States” used at protests in Brisbane, Australia, 28 July 1985. A political demonstration and concert with Baltic songs and dances took place.

Placards and slogans used in political demonstrations and protests around the globe in the 1980s and early 1990s. Donated to Latvians Abroad Museum and Research Centre by BATUN (Baltic Appeal to the United Nations) and JBANC (Joint Baltic American National Committee), Marianna Auliciema, Inga Česlis, Iveta Ivansone, Ingrīda Meierovica, Ilgvars Ozols, Andris Rūtiņš, Vova Zvidriņš.

We gathered at the Latvian Welfare House the night before. We sat and made posters; the bar was full downstairs. We had to make 50 posters, and over time, inspiration began to run out. Vilnis Zaļkalns came up from the bar, and we called: “Vilni, come to our rescue. We need a few more catchy slogans! He spontaneously created the slogans: “Voss, where’s the meat?” and “Hugo-Pugo, shit’s coming!” The regular slogans were all used up. ‘Hugo-Pugo’ referred to Boriss Pugo, the then head of the Latvian SSR KGB. Dissidents were persecuted under his leadership. The poster “Voss, where’s the meat?” was dedicated to food shortages in Latvia. At the time, Latvia was required to supply the Leningrad region, so Latvia didn’t have meat. So, we dedicated this poster to Augusts Voss, the 1st Secretary of the Central Committee – where’s the meat?

Ģirts Zēgners