San Francisco Agency Stamps Out Democracy with Interactive Mural at Proxy SF

This year’s upcoming U.S. election has been widely regarded as one of the most important in a generation - marked by upheaval, protests and a pandemic which has brought most of the country to a standstill. At the centre stands the United States Postal Service (USPS), a longtime resource under political siege that has been tasked with securely collecting and delivering mail-in ballots at a time when many are quarantined for their safety.

That’s why creative agency John McNeil Studio (JMS) has launched 'Stamp Out', partnering with San Francisco arts and culture space Proxy SF to erect a mural on its enormous street-facing wall - all in the name of supporting the USPS and 'stamping out' corruption in this year’s election. 

“Voting is a fundamental right and the responsibility of every American,” explained agency founder / CEO, John McNeil. “Unfortunately, at a time when an unprecedented number of Americans will be relying on the US mail to vote, the USPS is being undermined and politicised by the current administration. ‘Stamp Out’ is a means of both protest and proactive support. By purchasing stamps we help ensure the viability of the USPS and by putting those stamps on the ‘Stamp Out’ wall, we send a collective message; rejecting the rampant corruption that exists within our political system, today.”

Visitors are invited to purchase and stick their official USPS stamps to the mural, covering up the message and literally 'stamping out' corruption over the next month, raising money for the USPS while sending a crucial message ahead of the election. A collaboration between the JMS creative team, led by ECD Gerald Lewis, working with ACDs Drake Paul and Jeff Roy, and senior designer Mark Wynn, its design borrows from historical and current graphical elements of the USPS identity. It will remain up and accessible from 3rd October until election day, 3rd November.

For JMS, Proxy SF proved to be the ideal place for a community initiative of this type. “For nearly 10 years, Proxy SF has created a central point for San Francisco to come together as a community and, frankly, represents some pretty revolutionary thinking about how to rapidly stand up a retail and community space affordably and effectively,” continued John. “The idea of installing a large scale mural, one that the public could interact with to participate in making their voices heard, made immediate sense against both the mission of Proxy and what the community has come to expect from the experiences and events they put out.”

Proxy SF will also host more, smaller posters on the opposite side of the mural to stamp out other social ills: racism, greed, fascism, and nepotism. These posters will also be available for download here so that others can encourage people to buy stamps and 'stamp out' corruption in their own neighbourhoods.

Because of Covid-19, this will not be a traditional event. Large crowds will be discouraged in favour of responsibly socially-distanced groups or individuals, visiting at their leisure. However visitors will be encouraged to participate and share what they’ve done on social media using the hashtag #StampOut2020 - asking even more people to buy stamps and put up their own 'Stamp Out' social posts and posters.

“Because of the pandemic more citizens will rely on the USPS to deliver their vote,” added Gerald. “This mural is both a symbolic statement of support for, and financial contribution to the USPS. Our vote is sacred, and no branch of government or single elected official has the power to manipulate the electoral process. San Francisco will always be a bedrock for political activism. People have already been coming by, putting up stamps, and making their support known. Not even a pandemic can stop this city from coming together to support free speech.”

Click here for more information about 'Stamp Out' at Proxy SF.