Shepard Fairey, the graphic designer behind Barack Obama's iconic "Hope" posters, is showing his support for Occupy Wall Street protestors with an invitation to join demonstrations as they move uptown to Times Square on Saturday.
The invitation strikes up a 1960's, Black Power movement theme with an image of an African American woman wearing an Afro hairstyle. Underneath the woman, Fairey calls to "the Awake and Inspired" to join protestors:
...with music, performance and a message that the people of this country - not the banks, not the corporations - hold the true power.participate in a stunning moment expressing hope and a new vision for the future - and showing our solidarity with the people who have already been occupying Wall Street for weeks.
Editor of art blog Hyperallergic Hrag Vartanian underscores the significance of Fairey's design to WNYC by noting, "I think it’s really great that it’s an upward looking positive image, as well as it tries to tie together a little bit of the radicalism of the 60’s with today."
Back in 2008, Fairey vaulted onto pop culture phenomenon territory with his symbolic "Hope" image supporting then presidential candidate Barack Obama. Fairey discussed how the poster went viral and became the symbolic answer for many Americans who wanted to show their support:
I think what then happened was that there were a lot of people who were digging Obama but they didn't have any way to symbolically show their support. Once there was an image that represented their support for Obama then that became their Facebook image or their email signature or something they use on their MySpace page.
From the beginning, Occupy Wall Street protestors have creatively used posters to convey their frustrations and demands. Fairey's Times Square invitation could have the potential to be the new face uniting all protestors' messages.
Take a look at the powerful signs we've seen below:
Occupy Wall Street Signs And Protests
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Signs belonging to Occupy Wall Street protesters lie in Zuccotti Park where hundreds of activists are living on October 11, 2011 in New York City. Hundreds of activists affiliated with the 'Occupy Wall Street' demonstrations have been living in the park in the Financial District near Wall Street. The activists have been gradually converging on the financial district over the past three weeks to rally against the influence of corporate money in politics among a host of other issues. The protests have begun to attract the attention of major unions and religious groups as the movement continues to grow in influence. (credit:Getty)
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Demonstrators with 'Occupy Wall Street' protest at Zuccotti Park in New York on October 13, 2011 the day after Mayor Bloomberg gave a message to Occupy Wall Street protestors that the park needs to be cleaned. Protestors, signs, and sleeping bags need to be temporarily vacated from the premises while the park's property owner can go in with a cleaning crew starting Friday. (credit:Getty)
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A woman hands out tampons to demonstrators with 'Occupy Wall Street' protest at Zuccotti Park in New York before they start cleaning up their belongings October 13, 2011 the morning after Mayor Bloomberg gave a message to Occupy Wall Street protestors that the park needs to be cleaned. Protestors, signs, and sleeping bags need to temporarily vacate the premises while the park's property owner can go in with a cleaning crew starting Friday (credit:Getty)
Occupy Wall Street Protestors Take Up Residence In Zuccotti Park(04 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: A man runs by signs belonging to Occupy Wall Street at Zuccotti Park where hundreds of other activists are living on October 11, 2011 in New York City. Hundreds of activists affiliated with the 'Occupy Wall Street' demonstrations have been living in the park in the Financial District near Wall Street. The activists have been gradually converging on the financial district over the past three weeks to rally against the influence of corporate money in politics among a host of other issues. The protests have begun to attract the attention of major unions and religious groups as the movement continues to grow in influence. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A pet dog carries a placard as Occupy Wa(05 of49)
A pet dog carries a placard as Occupy Wall Street protestors stage a 'Millionaires March' in Manhattan's Upper east Side, one the city's wealthiest residential neighbourhoods, in New York, October 11, 2011. Protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement took their 'Millionaires March' in front of the homes of some of New York City's wealthiest residents in Manhattan's Upper East Side, including News Corp. CEO Rupert Murdoch, JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and oil tycoon David Koch. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Occupy Wall Street Protestors March Down New York's Fifth Avenue(06 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: A construction worker holds up a sign in solidarity with protesters with the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement as they walk to Park Avenue after briefly demonstrating in front of the residence of NewsCorp CEO Rupert Murdoch on October 11, 2011 in New York City. Hundreds of activists marched along 5th avenue and Park Avenue stopping in front of the buildings where prominent heads of major business and financial institutions live. Many of the 'Occupy Wall Street' demonstrations have been living in Zuccotti Park in the Financial District near Wall Street. The activists have been gradually converging on the financial district over the past three weeks to rally against the influence of corporate money in politics among a host of other issues. The protests have begun to attract the attention of major unions and religious groups as the movement continues to grow in influence. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
An Occupy Wall Street protestor holds a(07 of49)
An Occupy Wall Street protestor holds a sign on Zuccotti Park near Wall Street in New York, October 11, 2011. Protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement scheduled a 'Millionaires March' taking their march in front of the homes of some of New York City's wealthiest residents in Manhattan Upper East Side. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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Sign at Occupy Wall Street(09 of49)
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Emily McArthur of Jamaica Plain, Mass., chants through a bullhorn in front of the Statehouse, in Boston, as part of an Occupy Boston demonstration on Monday, Oct. 3, 2011. The group is part of a nationwide grassroots movement in support of the ongoing Wall Street protests in New York. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds) (credit:AP)
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Protesters from Occupy Wall Street march through the financial district dressed as corporate zombies Monday, Oct. 3, 2011, in New York. The protests have gathered momentum and gained participants in recent days as news of mass arrests and a coordinated media campaign by the protestors have given rise to similar demonstrations around the country. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
Day 9 Occupy Wall Street September 25 2011 Shankbone 24(13 of49)
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An Anti-Wall Street demonstrator marches in downtown Los Angeles, Monday, Oct. 3, 2011. The demonstrators entering their third day of a campout protest at Los Angeles City Hall said Monday they're planning to continue their action as long as it takes to build a national people's movement against corporate greed. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (credit:AP)
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Tevor Roulstin, center, 25, from Durango, Colo., stands with a sign at the Occupy Wall Street Protest as police confer on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011 at Zuccotti Park in New York. The protests started on Sept. 17 with a few dozen demonstrators who tried to pitch tents in front of the New York Stock Exchange and has since grown to hundreds. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews) (credit:AP)
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Miles Partman, dressed as Santa, holds a sign that reads "Santa Broke," as he protests at an encampment in downtown Seattle's Westlake Park, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. People protesting the current economic situation and several other causes have been camped in the park for several days, mirroring other demonstrations in other areas of the country. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) (credit:AP)
Labor Movement And An Organized College Walkout Add Support To Occupy Wall Street Protest(17 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement rally after marching through Lower Manhattan on October 5, 2011 in New York City. Thousands of protesters including union members and college students from an organized walkout joined today's rally and march. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Labor Movement And An Organized College Walkout Add Support To Occupy Wall Street Protest(18 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: A protester affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement kisses Sylvia Jordan (R) before marching through Lower Manhattan on October 5, 2011 in New York City. Thousands of protesters including union members and college students from an organized walkout joined today's rally and march. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A man joins Occupy Wall Street protester(19 of49)
A man joins Occupy Wall Street protesters as they rally in Foley Square on October 5, 2011 in New York. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Union members and Occupy Wall Street pro(20 of49)
Union members and Occupy Wall Street protesters stage a protest near Wall Street in New York, October 5, 2011. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Union members and Occupy Wall Street pro(21 of49)
Union members and Occupy Wall Street protesters stage a protest near Wall Street in New York, October 5, 2011. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Labor Movement And An Organized College Walkout Add Support To Occupy Wall Street Protest(22 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement rally in Lower Manhattan on October 5, 2011 in New York City. Thousands of protesters including union members and college students from an organized walkout joined the rally and march. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Union members and Occupy Wall Street pro(23 of49)
Union members and Occupy Wall Street protesters stage a protest near Wall Street in New York, October 5, 2011. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Labor Movement And An Organized College Walkout Add Support To Occupy Wall Street Protest(24 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement rally in Foley Square before marching though Lower Manhattan on October 5, 2011 in New York City. Hundreds of activists affiliated with the 'Occupy Wall Street' demonstrations have been living in a park in the Financial District near Wall Street. The activists have been gradually converging on the financial district over the past two weeks to rally against the influence of corporate money in politics among a host of other issues. Over 700 people were arrested last weekend on the Brooklyn Bridge after temporarily blocking traffic. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Labor Movement And An Organized College Walkout Add Support To Occupy Wall Street Protest(25 of49)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement rally in Foley Square before marching though Lower Manhattan on October 5, 2011 in New York City. Hundreds of activists affiliated with the 'Occupy Wall Street' demonstrations have been living in a park in the Financial District near Wall Street. The activists have been gradually converging on the financial district over the past two weeks to rally against the influence of corporate money in politics among a host of other issues. Over 700 people were arrested last weekend on the Brooklyn Bridge after temporarily blocking traffic. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A man holds a sign on the steps of the F(26 of49)
A man holds a sign on the steps of the Federal Courthouse as members of trade unions join Occupy Wall Street protesters as they rally in Foley Square on October 5, 2011 in New York. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Members of trade unions join Occupy Wall(27 of49)
Members of trade unions join Occupy Wall Street protesters as they march to Foley Square on October 5, 2011 in New York. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Members of trade unions join Occupy Wall(28 of49)
Members of trade unions join Occupy Wall Street protesters as they march to Foley Square on October 5, 2011 in New York. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A man holds a sign in Federal Plaza whil(29 of49)
A man holds a sign in Federal Plaza while members of trade unions join 'Occupy Wall Street' protesters as they march to Foley Square on October 5, 2011 in New York. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
A woman carries a sign as members of tra(30 of49)
A woman carries a sign as members of trade unions join 'Occupy Wall Street' protesters as they march to Foley Square on October 5, 2011 in New York. The demonstrators are protesting bank bailouts, foreclosures and high unemployment from their encampment in the financial district of New York City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Day 3 Occupy Wall Street 2011 Shankbone 24(31 of49)
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Day 12 Occupy Wall Street September 28 2011 Shankbone 22(32 of49)
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Day 12 Occupy Wall Street September 28 2011 Shankbone 30(33 of49)
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Day 12 Occupy Wall Street September 28 2011 Shankbone 54(34 of49)
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Day 17 Occupy Wall Street October 3 2011 Shankbone 8(36 of49)
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Day 8 Occupy Wall Street September 24 2011 Shankbone 2(37 of49)
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Day 12 Occupy Wall Street September 28 2011 Shankbone 31(38 of49)
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Day 9 Occupy Wall Street September 25 2011 Shankbone 8(39 of49)
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Day 16 Occupy Wall Street October 2 2011(40 of49)
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9-17-11 Occupy wall street - Bradmanning(41 of49)
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Day 14 Occupy Wall Street September 30 2011 Shankbone 27(42 of49)
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Day 14 Occupy Wall Street September 30 2011 Shankbone 45(43 of49)
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Occupy Wall Street Day 14(44 of49)
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Wall Street March(45 of49)
Rachael Pletz, right, holds up a sign as she and others participate in a march organized by Occupy Wall Street Saturday Sept. 24, 2011 in New York. Marchers represented various causes both political and economic. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg) (credit:AP)
Day 17 Occupy Wall Street October 3 2011 Shankbone 6(46 of49)
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Occupy Wall Street Day 14(47 of49)
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Hundreds of protestors occupy Zuccotti Park Near Wall Street, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011, in New York. Many are from the protest movement Occupy Wall Street and have been demonstrating in the financial district since Sept. 17. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano) (credit:AP)
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An Occupy Wall Street protestor rests Sunday in Zucotti park the morning after police arrested over 700 marchers on the Brooklyn bridge for blocking traffic and disorderly conduct, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in New York. Protestors have occupied the financial district park for three weeks in opposition of corporate greed. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (credit:AP)
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