Illustration of a peace sign made of a red outer circle and center line and two human arms. 

This button was designed by Lawrence P. Bloom in late 1972 while he was in junior high school. The button was handed out at the Watergate Hearing in May of 1973. The design has since been made into stickers and postage stamps.

Purple illustration of a fish eating a group of smaller fish over an illustration of the smaller fish in the form of a larger fish eating the larger fish with purple text above on a light blue background

The image on this button represents that through organization one can create results and overcome obstacles. It presents the idea that you don’t let ‘them’ eat you, but you organize to resist. This image also expresses the idea of solidarity, or fellowship arising from common responsibilities and interests. 

Illustration of a black octopus with its head inside of a building on a red ground with yellow and white sky

This button criticizes nuclear power as being centralized. The argument is that it allows a small number of “elites” (scientific, political and/or economic) to make important decisions about energy for large area. Most often nuclear programs have been run or operated directly by governments or through support of large government subsidies. The symbolism on the button of the octopus is often associated with caricatures of government or political over reaching or “big brother” type activity that interferes with local autonomy. It is argued that a centralized model of power distribution would hurt efforts to shift to more sustainable model.

White text on the red semi circle background and on the blue semi circle background. Black text on a white background.

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Black text on an off white background surrounded by a decorative gold outline and red-orange outer edge

This button was produced as part of the Prohibition movement of the early 20^th century and organizations like the Anti-Saloon League of America used them to promote their cause. The Anti-Saloon League was the first modern pressure group organized around one issue. Unlike earlier popular movements, it utilized bureaucratic methods learned from business to build a strong organization, which helped to reinvigorate the country’s temperance movement. The activists used a multitier approach in its attempt to secure a dry (Prohibition) nation through national legislation and congressional hearings. They saw themselves as preachers fulfilling their religious duty of eliminating liquor in America. Prohibition in the United States remained in place as law from 1920 to 1933. 

White illustration of a hand and arm coming from the upper right of the button with black text on the palm on a black background

“No One Deserves to be Hurt” is a popular social justice phrase used to protest prejudice, bullying, and abuse. It has been used in many settings to promote equality, the value of life, and self-responsibility. The image of the stop hand is used to symbolize a motion to halt abuse and communicate the value of all people.

Illustration of a black hanger with a red "No" symbol over it on a white background

The no hanger symbol is a pro-choice symbol that draws attention to the methods women used to end unwanted pregnancies when abortion was illegal. The hanger highlights the fact that abortion persisted even when it was outlawed, but without medical care and with increased danger to women. These women were often of minorities and the lower classes who could not afford abortions performed by a specialist.

Illustration of a black Tyrannosaurus Rex and a volcano on a white background with a red "No" symbol through the image

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White text on a black background

Black text on a yellow background with an outline of a man holding a glass of wine with a small eagle logo below.

Between 1965 and 1970, members of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee and the Mexican-American National Farmworker's Association combined to create the United Farm Workers of America (UFW) in order to demand wages equal to minimum wage. By the end of the five year strike, the UFW and table grape growers came to a collective bargaining agreement. However, during this strike, President Richard Nixon declared his support of the grape growers, which caused tension between him and the UFW. In response, the UFW came up with phrases such as "Nixon Drinks Ripple" and encouraged people to boycott certain wines.