Restricting women's reproductive rights in any context is ridiculous, but lately American politicians have been putting forth legislation so outrageous it's hard to react. With absurd propositions to repeal abortion rights for women coming being considered across the globe, pro-choice activists have decided to fight bizarre legislation with artistic and ironic protests. An effective ironic pro-choice protest has several different aspects. This guide covers how to:

Generate ideas
Attract attention
Make it work

Generate ideas

The Rukus society has produced this graphical guide to making balloon banners that will take your message to the higher ups. The guide is intended to help activists coordinate a screen or fabric banner suspended by two weather balloons. For different sized banners, the same principles apply but the preparation, cost, timeline and amount of gear should be adjusted.

In Austin, Texas Cathy Wu is making jewelry out of dried fruit. In London, Ontario Brian Frank is educating himself in digital media. John Hammel. In St. Jacob's, Ontario, owns the last handmade corn broom plant in Canada. In the U.S. Rustbelt ordinary citizens are dropping by a community college to use laser cutters and 3D printers. And, in homes all over the world, people are connecting to the Internet to discover galaxies or unfold the secrets of Alzheimer's and Parkison's Disease.

Self publishing amongst activists has a colourful, jaggedly cut and political history. Zines have been scattered around in one form or another since words were written on paper, but for activists and political artists, zines really took off in the pre-online world of the 1990s. Popularized by the riot grrrl movement, a product of feminism and alternative rock in North America, zines quickly became an invaluable vehicle for manifestos and sharing lived experiences. Nowadays, zines can be found online and in print. This guide will go over how to put together a zine cover to cover and include:

What's a zine?
Creating content
Figuring out formatting
Distribution

Whats a zine

Join Jen Anisef of Toronto Craft Alert; Cat Mazza, artist and founder of MicroRevolt collective of craftivism; and Anthea Black, artist and writer, for a discussion about craftivism as it pertains to labour practices. Members $12, Non-members $15, Full-time students Pay-What-You-Can.Advance tickets may be purchased in person at the TMC’s front desk. Please arrive early, seating is limited.