Build a Wall of Resistance. Don’t Talk to the FBI

Primary Artist: Terry Forman

Created: San Francisco Collective, 1983

Medium: Silkscreen, offset and jet printed.

Dimensions: 16″ x 20″ and 11″ x 14″

In the United States, anyone refusing to cooperate with a Grand Jury can be held in jail with a civil, “non-criminal” charge for the duration of the Grand Jury (which can be more than 2 years). The US has been using Grand Juries to imprison Puerto Rican independence activists starting in the 1930s with the Nationalist Party.

In the 1970s and 80s. the US convened several grand juries to investigate organizations of Puerto Ricans, US Black and Mexicano organizations, and white anti-imperialist groups. Subpoenas were issued for independence leaders in Chicago, New York, and Puerto Rico; as well as to Mexican activists in the Southwest. The FBI used these grand juries to gather information about the activities of their organizations and information about organization members. Many refused to cooperate and were jailed for the duration of the grand jury. This poster continues to be used today and is a widespread symbol of non-collaboration.

For more about the history of the Grand Juries: The Improper Use of the Federal Grand Jury: A Instrument for the Internment of Political Activists by Michael E. Deutsch.

For more information about the dangers of talking to law enforcement, see
Tips for Street Demonstrations
Take Care of Each other—Remain Silent

Image: Drawing of FBI agent with F.B.I. written on their back, line of houses on a street with their doors slamming shut, Slam, Slam, Bam, Slam written on the doors of the houses.

Words: Build a Wall of Resistance, Don’t Talk to the F.B.I.

Color: orange and black on white paper