The Architecture Lobby is calling for a national day of action on March 10th,2017 at 4pm EST in opposition to the building of the southwestern border wall proposed by the Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security. While there are innumerable reasons to stand against the immigration policies of the current administration and this project specifically, this call is motivated by the belief that the fields of architecture, and engineering are fundamentally rooted in a goal to improve our societies by producing structures that render them more just, more equitable, and more beautiful. The southwestern border wall stands in clear and direct opposition to this goal.
We are calling for a 45 minute united action for architects and engineers to leave their desks at 4pm EST and walk out to demonstrate our power to withhold our individual agency. The goal of this Day of Action is to encourage a grassroots resistance to this project from and within architecture and engineering companies across the country, coinciding with the closure of the first round of RFPs for the DHS SBW. Additionally we have listed some suggestions and tips on a second page for possible further actions.
By participating in this day of action, architects and engineers will make clear not only to the current and future administrations, but also to themselves and each other, that their agency will not be exploited in the service of xenophobia, discrimination and racism.
Download and print our flier here and help spread the word!
Download and print our full press release here and read how you can participate!
UPDATE 3/11/2017: Check out the images below from offices around the United States that have shared with us their empty desks and their ethical decision to act. Also check out our twitter for even more images. @Arch_Lobby
KieranTimberlake
Berkeley College of Environmental Design
Architects Collective/Aero Collective
Ludwig & Larsen
Michell Wall Architecture and Design
Studio Tractor
Miles Associates
Ali Saleh
DSGN AGNC; “when working on the run you walk out by shutting it down!”
