SCW Activism

In addition to the activism expressed in our products, SCW engages in activism and movement work in a variety of other ways.

Partnerships with Activist Groups on Products - SCW often reaches out to activist organizations with ideas to partner on the development of projects which can support on the ground organizing work. For example, in early 2021, we partnered with the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission to create a commemorative poster and postcard.

Support for Fundraising Efforts - SCW regularly donates items for silent auctions, raffles and other events and offers ongoing ways for organizations to use our products as part of their fundraising work.

Royalties Support Frontline Communities – For products which speak very directly to concerns of marginalized groups which are designed by SCW, we pay royalties to organizations working on behalf of those groups. Organizations currently receiving royalties include: Black Lives Matter Syracuse (BLM products), Onondaga Nation (Haudenosaunee-related products), Seventh Generation Fund (Land Acknowledgement Poster), Black Cuse Pride (Black Trans Lives Matter products).

Paid Protesters - SCW is one of the few businesses that supports our workers “protesting on work time.” People from our office regularly head out to join protests, marches and demonstrations of various types.

 

Free Pantry – In the summer of 2021, learning from others engaged in mutual aid during the pandemic, SCW created a Free Food Pantry on the side of our building. We partner with the Food Center @ 324 University which supplies much of the food which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hundreds of pounds of food are given away every week and we're pleased to see folks bringing food to share, as well as helping themselves when they need it.

 

Big Big Letters for Demos – Over the past decade or more we've created a set of large, easy-to-read letters which are used at various demonstrations to spell out clear messages. “Not Our President,” “Kids Not Walls” and “Vote Dana” are a few of the ways they've been used.

Creating Banners – SCW's studio shares our talents with activist groups, famously creating the large “Columbus Didn't Discover Anything Banner” which was used to welcome Columbus replica ships to Upstate New York. Images went viral on social media, being seen by over a quarter million people.

Representing Business in Progressive Movements – Many movements appreciate having support from small businesses to help public officials understand the broad support they enjoy. SCW has been particularly active with the Campaign for NY Health, seeking to create the first state-based, single payer healthcare system in the US.

Climate Justice – Supporting work to protect and sustain our Earth home has always been core to SCW's work.  Several years ago, as part of our work on climate justice, we decided to create a resource page on our website to serve as a clearinghouse for information and links to activism.  Check it out here..

Donating Products – We regularly donate excess products to organizations and institutions. In the spring of 2021, we donated over 1200 posters to graduating high school seniors in the Syracuse City School District. You can check out the currently available posters on our website here..