PHILADELPHIA — At the bustling intersection of 8th and Snyder in South Philadelphia, a newly installed metal plaque stands out amidst the usual parking signs, boldly stating: “MIGRA ALERTA.” The sign’s Spanish text informs pedestrians of their rights to protect themselves against the aggressive tactics of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Across the street, another sign conveys the same message in English, emphasizing the legality of recording ICE activity and the right to remain silent, with smaller letters declaring: “Fuck la migra forever.”
These provocative signs are the creation of an anonymous artist known as Make it Weird. In Philadelphia, the artist has been known for innovative uses of DIY solar-powered screens to display bus times when SEPTA falls short, satirizing the city’s untamed aspects, and alerting the public to creeping fascism. Their work blends the style of traffic signs with a unique Philly humor, passionately expressing solidarity among the city’s residents.
Before the summer of 2025, Make it Weird had not identified as an artist. However, that summer’s political turbulence inspired them to join a wave of local street artists using uncommissioned art to protest injustices. “It has been really heartening to see the folks who put up art like this in the community speak out a lot more,” they shared with Hyperallergic.
Make it Weird applied their technical skills from makerspaces to create a series featuring digitized handwriting from artist Resistance Ephemera, using a vinyl cutter to craft messages on bright yellow signs. One such sign reads, “YOU’D THINK THAT THE CONSTITUTION WAS YOUNGER, GIVEN HOW HARD REPUBLICANS ARE TRYING TO FUCK IT.” Despite some signs being removed or altered, others remain intact for extended periods.
The artist finds it intriguing that signs, especially those with messages from Resistance Ephemera, have endured. Make it Weird speculates that the community dynamics of South Philadelphia, where they primarily install their work, play a role. “The voice that I’ve really tried to take on is the one that says, ‘We are a community, we are neighbors, and we are a city, and we’re all in this together,’” they explained, hoping to convey unity through their art.
