Special Collections Research Center Exhibition "We Demand! A Legacy of Activism in America"

Since the country’s founding, the American people have shaped—and continue to shape—a more just and equitable future for current and future generations. For decades, Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) has collected materials related to histories of activism and social reform in America that illustrate how advancements in rights were made possible by those who came before. This tireless pursuit and ongoing work of individuals and collective groups who have come together to push for change—not always seen during their lifetimes—in the face of extraordinary challenges and circumstances is documented within this exhibition.

Visitors can explore traces of resistance and perseverance in the form of publications, posters, protest signs, photographs, demands, newsletters, and more that document the critical role of activism in challenging injustice and securing greater freedoms for all.

The exhibition was curated by Courtney Hicks, SCRC Lead Curator and Curator of Plastics and Historical Artifacts, Jana Rosinski, SCRC Instruction and Education Librarian, and Lindy Smith, SCRC Assistant Director.