Buttons of the Left

Telling the story of struggles for peace, justice and equality through buttons and personal ephemera,
this collection celebrates the rich history of labor movements and union solidarity through vintage buttons.
Each piece represents a moment in the struggle for workers' rights and collective power.

Buttons of the Left is an ongoing project.

If you’re interested in connecting or learning more, please contact buttonsoftheleft@gmail.com, or follow @buttonsoftheleft on Instagram.

“What’s to Celebrate? 4th of July 1976: Demonstrate! Philadelphia,” July 4th Coalition, 1976 July 4 Coalition poster “Bi/Buycentennial Bullshit,” unknown maker, 1976. The city of Philadelphia held official bicentennial
“Bring Justice to America’s Fields in ‘76,” United Farmworkers of America (UFW), 1976. Many labor and social justice organizations used the motif of the United States flag during the bicentennial year 1976, some completely in
Ok folks - are you in Chicago for the weekend? Mixed up the day or couldn’t make the event on Wednesday? I’m going to be returning my “Emblems of Solidarity” exhibit to storage on Sunday afternoon anyway, and am always down to
“Arm the People / Sam Adams,” Independent Socialist Club, Berkeley, 1968. Sam Adams, one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, was a key organizer of armed resistance to English rule of the American Colonies. In the 1760s
“Don’t Tread on Me,” People’s Bicentennial Commission, early 1970s. The People’s Bicentennial Commission (PBC) was founded in 1971, initially alongside the formation of the New Left socialist organization New American M
Some of the youngest attendees at @socialismconference (who have been making their own buttons in Camp Tortuguita, the childcare room) took a field trip to check out my exhibit of union buttons, “Emblems of Solidarity!” I got to share a
“We’ve Carried the Rich for 200 Years - Let’s Get Them Off Our Backs!” Revolutionary Communist Party, 1976. In protest of the official bicentennial celebrations in Philadelphia, counter-demonstration was called by the Revolut
“The Native American Revolution Bicentennial, 1776-1976 / 200 years of resistance,” July 4th Coalition or possibly American Indian Movement, 1976. The city of Philadelphia held official bicentennial commemoration on the two hundredth ann

Upcoming Events

  • "Always Carry a Book, Always Wear a Button"

    ONGOING EXHIBIT
    Pilsen Community Books
    1102 W 18th St
    Chicago, IL 60608

  • "El Pueblo Vencerá: Buttons of the Central America Solidarity Movement"

    ONGOING EXHIBIT
    Anticonquista Café
    952 W 18th St
    Chicago, IL 60608

  • "Teaching Labor History with Union Buttons"

    Thursday | May 22, 2025
    UAW Education Committees Conference
    Black Lake, MI

  • "Midst the Wonders We Have Made"

    Saturday | May 24, 2025
    May Day Art Show
    2928 N Milwaukee Ave
    Chicago, IL 60618

  • Labor and Working Class History Association National Conference

    June 12-14, 2025
    University of Chicago
    Chicago, IL 60637

  • "All Power to the People! Buttons of the Socialist Movement in the US"

    Wednesday | July 2, 2025
    In These Times Chicago
    2040 N Milwaukee Ave
    Chicago, IL 60647

  • Socialism 2025 Conference

    July 3-6, 2025
    Hyatt Regency McCormick
    2233 S Martin Luther King Dr
    Chicago, IL 60616