People Have Started Wearing Safety Pins In Public. Wait Till You See The Reason Why!
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The recent Brexit vote shocked many on both sides of the Atlantic. But one population felt it more than any: Britain's immigrants.
According to the National Police Chiefs' Council, the UK witnessed an overwhelming 57 percent increase in reports of xenophobic attacks after the referendum passed. Some incidents were shared on social media, including signs in windows like, "Leave the EU. No more Polish Vermin."
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In a statement, British Prime Minister David Cameron said:
"In the past few days we have seen despicable graffiti daubed on a Polish community centre, we've seen verbal abuse hurled against individuals because they are members of ethnic minorities. Let's remember these people have come here and made a wonderful contribution to our country. We will not stand for hate crime or these kinds of attacks. They must be stamped out."
But politicians aren't the only ones who are making a statement.
A reported surge in hate crime incidents after the referendum on Britain's membership in the European Union has pushed a Twitter user to launch an initiative to try and combat post-Brexit racism.
A Twitter user known as Allison, an American living in London, has urged people to wear a safety pin to show solidarity with immigrants living in the UK.
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"I'd like to come up with something that can be made by anybody anywhere to pin on their jacket or coat to signify that they are an ally. A safe person to sit next to on a bus, walk next to on a street, even have a conversation with," she wrote.
"I quite like the idea of just putting a safety pin, empty of anything else, on your coat. A literal SAFETY pin!"
The idea quickly took off with hundreds of social media users sharing their new flair with the world.
Of her idea's success, Allison told Indy100:
"It's simple because you don't have to go out and buy it, there's no language or political slogans involved. It's just a little signal that shows people facing hate crimes that they're not alone and their right to be in the UK is supported. I'm always having to remind people I'm an immigrant. You know, I'm white and speak English as a first language so I get a pass. They say ‘oh you don't count, you're not the kind of person we're talking about."
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Though some have criticized the gesture for being superficial, Allison believes the show of support can speak volumes in a divided nation.
The idea went viral.
People posted pictures on social media of their clothing with a safety pin on it.
A movement like #safetypin isn't just cosmetic. It's a way for those who need allies to recognize them, and a way for allies to recognize one another.
It's a way for regular citizens to take a leadership role in the direction of their country.
If history shows us anything, it's that evil really does take hold when witnesses do nothing, but also that it can be held at bay when they step up and speak out.
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As Allison, the originator of the idea, said to the BBC, "This is meant to be more than just a symbolic gesture or a way for like-minded people to pat each other on the back. If people wear the pin and support the campaign they are saying they are prepared to be part of the solution."
It's not going to be an easy solution. But it's more likely there will be one when those united by love are literally wearing their hearts on their sleeves.
