There are so many links between protests and fabric, it's too big of a topic to cover. But a significant one was the development of the American flag, where we took the colors of our parent's (England) flag, and made them distinctly our own
I like many of the more modern expressions of political thought in fabrics and fibers. Many of the artists are using innovative techniques, and interesting materials. For example "The Money Dress" is a glorious experiment with using currency as fabric, and as commentary.
Susan Stockwell is an amazing British artist that uses technology, ecology and politics in her works while also incorporating recycled computer parts and other everyday materials. Here we have "The Money Dress" which she designed and was made with paper money from all over the world. These particular style of dresses were inspired by the very ones worn by british Female Explorers in the 1870's....from Shawn Lloyd's blog
"Line of Fire" by Adrienne Sloane is magnificent commentary on our current culture of gun violence. I suspect that she's trying to say a few things in the work, but I'm unable to find any source besides Pinterest (which is, usually, more useful than this)
"Line of fire" by Adrienne Sloane (my attempts to find a useful link to the artist have failed.)
Other artists have used text to convey their intentions, others have used more graphic imagery. I love the use of a traditional technique to convey modern concerns, that make us contemplate those concerns in a new way.
The Democratic National Convention is starting this evening. It makes me wonder what inspiration for work will I find in it.