A Symbol of Protest, Not Profit
FTS began as a simple idea—something Thom thought was cool. But as he peeled back the layers, he realized it could be something much bigger. “It could be another piece of fuel for the fire that is growing among the working and middle classes in the UK,” he explains. “People have had enough. They’re listening to important voices from the alternative media, and they’re starting to realize that we are in a fight—and losing will bring terrible consequences.”
FTS is Thom’s way of contributing to that fight. It’s not just a brand; it’s a movement. It’s a way for people to wear their defiance and send a clear message to governments, police, and ruling elites: We no longer plan to just bend over for these people.
Beyond Clothing: Building a Movement
Unlike traditional clothing brands, FTS isn’t about profit. “We are planning to keep only what is needed to manage the site,” Thom states. “All other profits will go towards supporting causes that align with the FTS ethos.”
But FTS is more than just a fundraising tool. It’s about unity. “When we give people a common banner, it brings them closer together. That’s why our respective militaries wear uniforms, fans wear their team’s football shirts, and countries wave flags. FTS is meant to be a symbol of organized dissent.”
From Awareness to Action
For Thom, starting FTS was about moving beyond passive activism. “I wanted to do something more than just share posts and make the odd donation. I wanted to actually join the fight,” he says. “I wanted my children to see that even the smallest individual can stand up and do something. Like a brave protester throwing rocks at a tank—the act itself may make little difference, but the ripples caused by even the smallest act of defiance can change everything.”
The Challenge of Visibility
Starting with no capital meant using platforms like WooCommerce and Printful to launch the brand. “Printful seemed to be an ethical company that could make kickstarting this venture a reality,” Thom explains. But the hardest part? “Being seen.”
Thom is clear that the future of FTS depends on building a real community. “I don’t want this to become just another cash-grab brand. Right now, it’s just me coming up with T-shirt ideas while listening to podcasts, reading the news, walking my dogs, and letting my mind wander. But I’m hoping to attract people who share my vision.”
Who Does FTS Support?
With so many causes in need of funding, FTS had to choose a starting point. “Right now, the priority in the rational world should be to end the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. Until that is over, we will direct all our support to BDS, who have a position and strategy that resonates best with us.”
FTS as a Call to Action
FTS isn’t just about selling T-shirts—it’s about inspiring people to act. “I want young people in particular to see FTS and feel part of something. Instead of panicking about the future, feeling hopeless about the present, and becoming nihilistic about life, they should feel like they are organizing. The fact is that we outnumber ‘them‘ a million to one, and they know it. If we organize, we win.”
That’s why Thom is encouraging people to use the hashtag #ItBeginsWithUnity to showcase their own acts of dissent.
What’s Next for FTS?
Thom envisions FTS becoming synonymous with protest. “I would love to see an FTS tee on a prominent figure. I would love to see them at protests. I would love for the FTS logo to become a symbol of dissent.”
While he’s open to collaborations, he stresses that the real power lies in ordinary people. “I would love to reach out to people like Owen Jones, Gary Stevenson, Yanis Varoufakis, or even Jeremy Corbyn. But the general public are the ones who are going to power this movement. I want to connect with the average Joe, the background protestor, the working person who feels strongly on these issues but feels they are unable to speak out. They are the base.”
The Final Message
So what does Thom want people to take away from FTS?
“I DON’T want your money. I want your energy. I want working people across the planet to stand up to the powers that be and tell them, ‘Enough is enough, motherfuckers.’”
Follow the movement. Join the resistance. #ItBeginsWithUnity
