Defend Your Freedoms - Freedom of Speech

Work Summary & Collector Notes

I never imagined I’d need to defend the First Amendment, but as our nation’s 250th anniversary approaches, we all need to be reminded of several vital principles enshrined in the Constitution soon after the United States was formed. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents Congress from making laws respecting an establishment of religion; prohibiting the free exercise of religion; or abridging the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the freedom of peaceful assembly and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. Under the Trump administration every one of those First Amendment provisions has been eroded including an extreme favoritism toward Christian nationalism and bias against other religious groups. Though the religious bias unconstitutionally ignores the legislated separation of church and state, I see the most severe threats to democracy as the Trump administration’s attacks on FREEDOM of SPEECH, FREEDOM of the PRESS, and FREEDOM of ASSEMBLY. These freedoms are essential safeguards against abuses of power by those elected to govern by we the people. In every nation that has succumbed to fascism, these three freedoms have been dismantled by those pursuing fascism and authoritarianism. This series serves as a reminder of why we must defend these bedrock principles of democracy in the face of fascist attacks. -Shepard PRINT DETAILS: Defend Your Freedoms – Freedom of Speech. 24″ H x 18″ W. Screen print on 80# cream Speckletone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 400. Comes with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart. $65

Collector notes: Edition of 400; saved release record states an edition size of 400. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet groups this work under Peace and anti-war for discovery; that category is a navigation aid, not an authentication conclusion.

Documented Release Details

Object type

Editioned screenprint

Release date

2026

Release-date note

Catalog-listed release year/date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.

Medium and materials

Screen Print; catalog dimensions 24′′ H x 18′′ W.

Edition details

Edition of 400; saved release record states an edition size of 400.

Signature and marks

Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.

Documented History and Meaning

History note: Shepard Fairey's OBEY / Andre the Giant campaign began in 1989 and grew into a long print and public-art practice; this page treats that as career context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition.

Meaning / interpretation: Fairey's practice combines propaganda-style imagery, political and countercultural themes, and a recurring OBEY vocabulary. Subject-specific intent is not assumed here unless the release record states it. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.

Release context: The saved catalog lists 2026 and attributes the edition to Obey Giant.

Authentication, Presentation and Provenance

Original presentation

Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.

Authentication note

Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.

Provenance note

Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Obey Giant. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.

Sources and Verification

Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added

1. Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, date, edition, dimensions, medium, release price, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
2. About — Shepard Fairey / OBEY GIANT — Obey Giant · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official OBEY GIANT artist biography and career context; it is not an individual-edition record.
3. Shepard Fairey — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
4. Shepard Fairey (Q1142847) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.