📌 Tools of Resistance: Earthwriting & Skywriting
Going beyond chalk on sidewalks
Welcome to How to Resist, a newsletter that shares acts of nonviolent resistance, mutual aid, and community building for ordinary folks.
I hope this newsletter inspires new ideas and helps you discover ways to engage that are right for you. If you like this content, act on it! Find something that speaks to you and take those first steps confidently, knowing you are part of a rising tide.
In the words of Elie Wiesel, “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.”
What is earthwriting and skywriting?
Gene Sharp, political scientist, professor, and author of many books on nonviolent civil resistance, describes earth and skywriting as, “words or symbols communicated to people over large distances by writing them in the unusual media of the sky or earth.” (Sharp, 1973)
A lot has changed since the early seventies when Gene Sharp was writing about earthwriting and skywriting. Today, social media preserves and amplifies what would otherwise be a fleeting effort.
Examples
Human Banners
Organizing a group of people to stand in specific patterns to spell out words or create symbols that can be read from above
Large-scale Banners
Displaying a large banner so that it covers a large area and can be read from above.
Chalk Art
This is a popular form of earthwriting where artists use colorful chalks to create intricate designs, messages, or even temporary murals on sidewalks and pavements. It's a transient art form, often washed away by rain, making it ever-changing.
Beach Writing
Writing messages or drawing pictures in the sand at the beach.
Crop Writing
Creating large-scale messages by plowing patterns into fields or using environmentally safe paint on crops.
Snow Writing
Writing or drawing in fresh snow using their feet or tools.
Rocks, pebbles, shells
This method involves arranging natural materials in various settings to form large-scale messages or artistic designs. For example, large rocks can be arranged in a field, pebbles can be used along creeks or riverbanks, shells can be arranged on the beach.
Moss Graffiti
Using moss and a mixture of other natural ingredients, artists can create living graffiti on walls and other surfaces. This form of earthwriting is eco-friendly and grows over time, creating a living piece of art.
Mud or Clay Writing
In areas with abundant clay or mud, people might use these materials to sculpt or write messages on the ground or on walls. These can be left to dry and harden, making them more permanent than some other forms.
Skywriting
Skywriting spelling out T.A.C.O., an acronym for ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’. May 2025
The Basics of Earthwriting or Skywriting
Legal considerations: Earthwriting and skywriting are not, in and of themselves, illegal. However, you may want to check for restrictions on airspace, public safety and nuisance laws, language that violates local laws (e.g., hate speech, obscenity, inciting violence), trespassing, and vandalism in your area. You may also want to consider environmental impact, impact on wildlife, and leave-no-trace principles on public lands.
✔️ As always, make sure you fully understand your rights and potential legal consequences before engaging in nonviolent civil protest
Think about your goals: Are you aiming for visibility and awareness, influencing public opinion, changing social norms, empowerment, solidarity, or policy change? How can you tie this tactic into a broader strategy for your cause?
Set clear messaging: Aim for a clear, resonant message that can be easily read from a distance. Use large, bold letters and symbols.
Choose a strategic location: Select a site that amplifies your message and puts pressure on those responsible.
Timing and duration: Consider the best time of day for visibility and ensure maximum visibility and that the message remains intact for as long as possible.
Estimate cost and material support: Large-scale banners and hiring airplanes and pilots might be quite expensive, while actions involving natural, readily available materials may be inexpensive.
Coordinate volunteers: Organize a team to help with the messaging if conducted at scale
Document and share: Do any of your friends have a drone? Capture the event and share widely to maximize visibility and impact. Invite local media to cover the event.
Evaluate and adapt: Reflect on the event; the successes, challenges, lessons learned, and opportunities. How would you do this differently next time? Share your experience with others.
Have an example or experience to share?
Drop it in the comments! We love to see ideas in action!
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References
Sharp, G. (2005). Waging nonviolent struggle: 20th century practice and 21st century potential. Extending Horizons Books.
Sharp, G. (1973, June 1). The Politics of Nonviolent Action, Part 2: The Methods of Nonviolent Action. ICNC.
Beer, M. (2021). Civil resistance tactics in the 21st century (M. Bartkowksi & J. Constantine, Eds.). International Center on Nonviolent Conflict.
Garrett, B. (2019). “‘Choose life’ floating over Sydney: what does the law say about political skywriting?” The Conversation. http://theconversation.com/choose-life-floating-over-sydney-what-does-the-law-say-about-political-skywriting-122054
Reuters. “Russian man who traced 'No to War' in the snow gets 10 days in jail.” Nov 29, 2023. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-man-who-traced-no-war-snow-gets-10-days-jail-2023-11-29/
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, April 3). Led By Donkeys. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia; Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Led_By_Donkeys
Pestova, A., & Dergacheva, D. (2023, March 1). People fleeing from Russia: ‘We were deprived of “home” too.’ Global Voices. https://globalvoices.org/2023/03/01/people-fleeing-from-russia-we-were-deprived-of-home-too/
Hawk, T. (2021, January 10). Peace sign made out of shells at Jersey Shore is a spot for people to share their hopes for 2021. Nj. https://www.nj.com/cape-may-county/2021/01/peace-sign-made-out-of-shells-at-jersey-shore-is-a-spot-for-people-to-share-their-hopes-for-2021.html
Case, P. (2019, October 21). Farmer ploughs huge anti-Brexit message in field. Farmers Weekly. https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/eu-referendum/farmer-ploughs-huge-anti-brexit-message-in-field
BBC News. (2019, October 14). Moratorium Day: The day that millions of Americans marched. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49893239
Led By Donkeys. (n.d.). Retrieved April 13, 2025, from https://www.ledbydonkeys.org/
West Ada School District removes chalk messages following peaceful protest. (2025, March 24). KBOI. https://idahonews.com/news/local/west-ada-school-district-removes-chalk-messages-following-peaceful-protest
Keeling, B. (2017, February 13). Thousands spell ‘resist’ on San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. Curbed SF. https://sf.curbed.com/2017/2/13/14600710/trump-resist-sf-beach
Amazing!
If you need a script or infographic on how the government works, check my page out, please!
My sidewalk art 🖼️