Reprinted from Fire
I. Necessity
The average Amerikan cannot help but read several hundred thousand words per day of pig shit in the form of advertising, slogans on police cars, etc. Revolutionary wall painting effectively combats this totalitarian bombardment of the mass subconscious.
“A dull-witted army cannot defeat the enemy.”—Mao
How can people fight if every head is filled ‘with imperialist propaganda like “STOP” and “Supermarket”.
II. Practicality
Revolutionary wall painting doesn’t take time away from other movement activities. It can be done on the way to a meeting, on the way home from a meeting, on the way from one meeting to another meeting. It harmonizes well with projects like high school organizing, since schools have walls. Likewise factories. It is not necessary to plan a “wall painting action”. Though RWP is carried out most efficiently by small groups, a single person acting alone can accomplish a lot.
III. Basis In Marxist Principle “From the masses to the masses” —Mao
Art—RWP—in Chicago was originated by kids who write on walls all over the city. A gang called the Belairs writes things like “KILL COPS”. Write on.
IV. Universality
RWP is as yet unsullied by sectarianism.
V. Material
Cans of spray paint are available at a nominal cost from local hardware stores. Or they can be ripped off.
VI. Tactics
Corners are better than the middle of the block; walking is better than driving; brick or concrete walls are best; sidewalks are okay; windows should be ignored or broken; paint washes off. Short slogans are better than long slogans. There’s a lot of unfinished “Bring…” and “Power…” around on the walls.
VII. Suggestions
OFF THE PIG
REVOLT
FREE BOBBY SEALE
FREE JOHN SINCLAIR
FREE HUEY
RISING UP ANGRY
REVOLUTION NOW
OFF THE LANDLORDS
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
END THE WAR