Does This Belong in a Museum? Smithsonian is Collecting Occupy Wall Street Signs
- Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:33am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Does this sign belong in a museum?
The Smithsonian Institution thinks it might. That’s why the National Museum of American History is sending representatives to collect materials, such as protest signs, from the ongoing Occupy Wall Street movement.
It‘s part of the Smithsonian’s “ongoing commitment to document the spirit of American democracy and the American political process, including how people express their points-of-view through political rallies, demonstrations and protests,” the institution said in a statement.
“The Museum collects from contemporary events because many of these materials are ephemeral and if not collected immediately, are lost to the historical record,” the statement said.
The National Museum of American History is one of the nation’s preeminent museums and is part of the government-funded, Washington D.C.-based Smithsonian Institution.
There are no current plans to display any of the signs, and a Smithsonian spokeswoman would not comment on the materials that have been acquired so far, saying only in an e-mail to The Blaze, “collecting is still in the early processes and we cannot determine what the future holds at this moment.”
According to the institution’s statement, it’s not only Occupy Wall Street signs that the Smithsonian is interested in collecting. Other recent acquisitions include signage from the 2008 presidential campaign, the Tea Party rally in March 2010, Jon Stewart’s “Rally to Restore Sanity” and even Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” event last year in Washington, D.C.
The spokeswoman said there are no plans to display any of those materials either.
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Comments (118)
Rached Madcow SHOW
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:38pmSave them to remember “Attempted Communist Overthrow by Usurper President Obama.”
Report Post »R0bespierre
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:27pm…you mean SUCCESSFUL Communist overthrow!
Right? …right?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:32pmI don’t care about the Smithsonian. It will eventually all get sold to the lowest bidder anyways and shuffled away over-seas. Probably to China or Russia. I see Russia is trying to have a big-foot craze to get people to come to mother-Russia.
Report Post »let us prey
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:39pmrobes
Report Post »They always eat their own. You will see.
jkjk
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:40pmUhhh….. No
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:41pmPeople despise the truth and they want to live in a fantasy land. Too bad that as long as people live in fantasy, they can never fix reality. And the reality is that Russia has a choke-hold on Europe, and Russia can “Only” Grow, and America can only go into collapse. Therefore I’m inclined to say that someday all the things in the Smithsonian will someday be in Russia as a trophy to conquering the U.S.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:56pmI see Panetta is ready to cut 260 billion dollars to defense over the next 5 years. And I’m sure if they are actually “Saying” 260, that they actually mean 460. I guess we won’t be having much of a military anymore.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 2:10pm“Leon.” Can you think of a more fitting name for a salesman?
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 2:17pmDog gone it. I was kind of hoping for the last 20 years that when things begin to come undone that it would not be during the winter months but now I’m not so sure.
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 2:18pmhttp://coupmedia.org/occupywallstreet/occupy-wall-street-official-demands-2009 check #17, are the occupy TRUTHERS
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 2:52pmI’m thinking they will be saving them as protesting will be obsolete. Because when they have accomplished their agenda.. protesters will cease to be..because they will be imprisoned. This happened in the Soros funded Rose Revlution in Georgia .The people thought they were going for a better deal, but it turned out that They lost all rights and their government wound up in the hands of good ole George Soros. We need a solid Constitutionalist this next election people…Ron Paul is the only one I see..
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:14pm“Does This Belong in a Museum? Smithsonian is Collecting Occupy Wall Street Signs”
Report Post »Does the Smithsonian have a fireplace?
dogpatch65
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:23pm99%? of what? I think this doesn’t belong in the Smithsonian, but in a trash can. These people don’t speak for me, and apparently not for him, either:
Report Post »http://markamerica.com/2011/10/27/occu-pests-dont-speak-for-me/
Marci
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:57pmSeeing as Time wouldn’t even mention the Tea Party and most of the media would not acknowledge it other than to allege racism, THAT should be on display at the Smithsonian. The day the media died.
Report Post »762x51
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:07pmNever happen Robes P
Lots of commie bodies everywhere is all you will accomplish.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:17pmThey can display it under the banner: ‘The Face of Communism in America’.
Report Post »Viet Vet
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 4:23pm@dogpatch65
In truth these anti-Americans represent maybe 10% at most.
Report Post »Lemon Party Patriot
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:05pmLike it or not, this is world history. I don’t see any bags of tea in a museum. lol. owned.
Report Post »dogpatch65
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:39pm@VIET VET, I doubt they represent that many. I figure maybe 1%. Most Americans don’t want the constitution replaced, just like it says in the article I linked above. Of course, part of the deal is what markamerica’s blog said: What the leadership is telling them and what your average occupier believes he is doing may be two vastly different things.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 5:53pmActually, Lemon Party, I have seen tea bags in a museum. Not representing the Tea Party, but they are there.
Report Post »phillipwgirard
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 6:18pmDisplay them as “A” part of our “DARK” history.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 7:59pmThrow them on the burn pile.
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:55pm@LEMON PARTY PATRIOT This Protest as I understand it had people from all walks of life..they were against the Federal Reserve and the Bank bail-outs which started with Bush…but Obama’s spent more in 2 yrs of his presidency than was spent since the birth of the United States. It was maddening to see all of those organizations getting all tax payer money and to see CEO’s getting millions for bankrupting companies. Obama gave 700 billon in tarp to Sharia Compliant Banks meaning they must give 2.5% to muslim organizations and if they break any Sharia Law..they get fined 7% Obama sent over 700 million to refurbish Mosques in Arab countries. Don’t you think that they get enough of our oil money? He is also spending 338.3 billion on illegals every year..so what is your problem with us?
Report Post »ashestoashes
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:04pm@LEMON PARTY PATROT ” Like it or not, this is world history. I don’t see any bags of tea in a museum. lol. owned.” That is so true! But the reason is that the “TEA PARTY” is not history
Report Post »Lemon Party Patriot
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:17pmYou mean “The Tea Party is not historically significant.”
Report Post »Unix
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:36pmNot in a million years, there a plenty of dumpsters just around the corner though…LOL..imbeciles!
Report Post »Unix
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:42pmOk, I may have snapped to judgement, if they collect signs for ALL protests, what the hell, why not. It seems a bit strange to me, where will they display them, next to the wolly mamouth?
Report Post »1389AD
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:02pmIf they ever go on display, they’ll have to be in sealed glass cases, so that the stench won’t leak out.
Report Post »LouisianaPatriot
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:36pmYes, put them in the museum as an example of Communist Propaganda and Techniques.
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on October 29, 2011 at 3:47amI would have thought that a more fitting museum would be” Ripley’s Believe it or Not”. Isn’t that for the most weird and bazaar memorabilia?
Report Post »garyM
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:30pmI wonder if these *******-heads on Wall Street have the foggiest idea what Jesus meant by the 99. It certainly did not have anything to do with money or material wealth!
Luke 15
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:30pmNo .. but that won’t stop them .. I will leave my TEA Party signs to my estate. That is where the real message is.
TEA!
Report Post »LibsAndCopKillersALoveStory
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:30pmWhile these signs belong in the Smithsonian, something tells me that the Jew-hating signs will not be displayed.
Report Post »1389AD
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 8:03pmSomehow I think you’re right.
I used to read the Smithsonian magazine, but I let it drop because it was too leftist.
Report Post »qzak491
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:24pmDid they keep copies of the signs from the 70′s? If so OK, if not the only place in the museum these belong is the incinerator. Equal justice not social justice.
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:35pmYes, the Smithsonian should keep the signs. They’re symbols of the overthrow of the American Constitution……and it seriously ticks me off!
PEOPLE PLEASE!
Realize how media manipulates minds (just look in the streets) Don‘t think YOU aren’t manipulated as well.
If you love America, then study up! Glenn Beck covered this. Why have you forgotten?
United Nations Agenda 21 for dummies! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzEEgtOFFlM
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzEEgtOFFlM
RighteousTyrant
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:54pmSome other commenter claims they made requests for materials from Beck’s day on the mall, so it seems they’re “equal opportunity” and are employing enough “affirmative action” for conservative messages to be stored, as well. Of course, if conservatism were truly winning in the “marketplace of ideas,“ no one would be concerned with all this ”equality” mess. You sound like a bunch of socialists.
Sorry, couldn’t resist. haha
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 9:40pmActually, I believe they do have some memorabilia from he 70′s, but remember that these signs are cardboard and they will degrade. Also remember that not every artifact is on exhibit and many are put away in the vaults or archives to crumble quietly into dust.
Report Post »hi
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:22pmThey should put it next to the evolution exhibit…”Occupiers not much different than apes.
Report Post »capitalismrocks
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:20pmSmithsonian is probably saving it all up so it can burn it all to keep the building warm, pretty soon due to Obama’s energy policies, the Smithsonian won’t be able to afford to heat its buildings due to the “necessarily skyrocketed costs of energy”
Good going Jimmy Carter… um, I mean Obama Carter…. Welcome Back Carter… now go home!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:11pmPut it in the trash where it belongs.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:02pm“Democracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few.” – John Adams: An Essay on Man’s Lust for Power, August 29, 1763
Report Post »TxMadMac
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:01pmTitle of the room should read “ Attempts to destroy America”. With a big picture of obama and all his minions !
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:57amThink: bonfire!
Report Post »DTOM_Jericho (Creator vindicator)
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:56amWe are a Republic, not a demoncracy.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 3:10pmThose are my thoughts exactly. You would expect that the Smithsonian would know that.
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:53amDoes the Smithsonian have any “Tea Party” memorabilia collected?
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:11pmNot sure about Tea Party per se, but they specifically asked Glenn for materials from 8/28.
Report Post »Coralchristie
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:56pmGood question. Can’t think of why they would want either…
Report Post »Epic Fail
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:53amDid they collect any Tea Party signs? Doubt it…. Cut off funding to the Smithsonian. They write history according to the liberals.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:24pmAccording to the article, yes, they did.
Read the whole of the article. This seems impartial and objective. I’m not entirely certain why it was posted on this site to be honest.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:52am.
Report Post »Only in the bathroom if they’ve run short on toilet paper…………
CCRYDER
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:51amJust plum dumb.
Report Post »GhostOfJefferson
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:50amThey’re the premier national museum, and according to the article, seem to collect these signs indiscriminant of the cause in question. This doesn’t bother me a bit, it seems like a simple exercise to archive things as they happen for future historians.
Non story.
Report Post »Lantern
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:26pmI hope they make sure to get some of the anti-semitic stuff, too.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:50amSounds like they collect things from both ends of the spectrum. I have no problem with it.
Report Post »4XGrace
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:47amIf that’s the spirit of American Democracy well then the world is doomed to Communism.
Report Post »Carol1955
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:46amI’m sure they could be displayed right next to the signs they collected from the Tea Party rallies. Oh, and I hope they choose some real beauties that show all the diverse concerns of these wackos. All of this news coverage for a few hundred people who have nothing better to do than become squatters and so little coverage for the hundred of thousands who gathered together for the Tea Party march (no trash, no arrests, and the area merchants were thrilled to see us).
Report Post »RighteousTyrant
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:31pmThese comments need more hate people. I don‘t think you’ve yet reached two minutes’ worth . . .
Report Post »Unix
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 12:40pmjust wait until the tyrant comes for your head, LOL
Report Post »DesertRose1960
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 1:35pmI was at both 9/12 and 8/28, and I was on Capitol Hill the day before Healthcare passed in March, 2010. About 25,000 people showed up with nasty signs to mock Nancy Pelosi. There were about 50,000-70,000 at 9/12, (and trash was left) and maybe 100,000-125,000 (participants crossed the chains and smashed the grass and so many people were smoking, illegal in a National Park). I was also at Restoring Sanity and couldn’t get within four blocks of the stage, I left because the crowd was practically pinning my arms to my side and all I could see was elbows, bottoms, and shoulders. If someone tells you that 300,000 people were there, believe them. If someone tells you that 350,000 came to 8/28, they’re lying. the Smithsonian American History museum is cataloging American history. Signs and memorablia for all five events were kept, it’s there job. You can tell a lot of the TeaParty signs, they’re the ones with the misspelled words and swastikas.
Report Post »stinkybisquit
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:45amYES!! If they also collect the Communist, Nazi, Code Pink, etc signs. Then in the future, people can compare them to the materials they obtained from 8/28.
Report Post »jessieH
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:42amIf I take a picture of my ass & send it to them, they must put it in the Smithsonian. After all, it’s part of history, too. and makes as much sense as putting the stupid signs in there.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:58amThat’s just funny! Thank you for the humor today.
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on October 27, 2011 at 11:41amThey should hang them on the wall right with Berry’s Hope and Change campaign posters.
Report Post »