A Successful International Immigrant Rights Poster Project

We need strong pro-immigrant and migrant art to confront the multitude of images of disempowerment given to us by our daily media.

The Taller Tupac Amaru set out to meet this need by enlisting the help of artists, art enthusiasts and movement supporters this May 2008. Jesus Barraza, Melanie Cervantes, Dylan Miner and Artemio Rodriguez under the leadership of fellow artist Favianna Rodriguez set out to produce FIVE empowering posters for the international immigrant rights movement. This type of collaboration and support given by a vast network of people was crucial in order to place 10,000 posters into the hands of hundreds immigrant right activists around the globe, and the thousands of people they help organize.

A historic gathering brought together over 300 migrant leaders from the US and Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America this May 2008, in Mexico City, to form a global association of remitters and their families. The event helped consolidate remitters’ economic and political power and gave them the space to define an agenda for the sustainable economic development of migrant communities. The conference was convened by TIGRA (Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action).

YES! Posters are crucial for today’s immigrant rights movement!

We printed EACH poster in a run of 2000 via offset and freely distributed them to the organizations attending the gathering. The posters will reach cities around the globe, so that we may introduce new and inspiring concepts about what it means to be an immigrant in the 21st century.

We forged partnerships with over 20 individual donors whose generosity made this project possible. This ambitious project was advanced by the collective power, action and love of many, many people all of whom are part of the immigrant rights movement.

This poster project was made possible thanks to:
• Efren Paredes, Jr. (www.4Efren.com)
• The Adelman/Llanos Family
• The Consejo Grafico
• Joel Lopez (Cuchilla del Tesoro, D.F., Mexico)
• Judilee Reed
• Diane Sanchez (Oakland, CA)
• www.iresist.org
• Roberta Uno & the Ford Foundation’s Matching Gift Program
• Jee Kim
• Leeway Foundation (Leeway.org)
• Jaime Cortez
• Carol Wells, Center for the Study of Political Graphics (PoliticalGraphics.org)
• Tito Delgado
• Quinn Delaney
• Margarita Rodriguez
• Sergio Rodriguez
• Carlos Valle
• Angelica Loa Perez
• Hugo from Los Angeles
• Anonymous donor

Logistical and Translation Support provided by:
• TIGRA – Transnational Institute for Grassroots Research and Action (Transnationalaction.org)
• National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (Nnirr.org)
• TUMIS.com
• Viviana Rennella
• Arnoldo Garcia
• Cathy Lee
• Youseff & Mahmoud Sawan

Artists:
• Jesus Barraza (DignidadRebelde.com)
• Artemio Rodriguez (LaManoPress.com)
• Melanie Cervantes (DignidadRebelde.com)
• Dylan Miner (DylanMiner.com)
• Favianna Rodriguez (Favianna.com)

There has never been a movement for social change without the arts – posters in particular – being central to that movement. Protest posters flaunt their politics and court discussion. They can deepen compassion and commitment, ignite outrage, elicit laughter, and provoke action. The power of the poster is that it is produced in multiples, and therefore can be easily distributed for all to see.

Posters are still available. If you are interested in purchasing the full set of five for $30 contact favianna@favianna.com