By Stacey Leasca, GOOD.is
In June, following the Brexit vote that rocked much of the United Kingdom, thousands of people around the U.K. began to wear a tiny, but mighty, safety pin as a message of hope.
As we reported then:
“Following last week’s stunning Brexit vote, the United Kingdom saw a staggering 57 percent increase in reported incidents of xenophobic abuse, according to the National Police Chiefs’ Council. Some victims even took to social media to share photos of the alleged verbal and physical abuse they have suffered since the vote.”
Following the vicious incidences, an American Twitter user named Allison hatched a powerful idea to show solidarity to victims of hate. As she suggested:
The idea quickly spread. In fact, the idea is still spreading, as American social media users are now sharing their own take on the pin, offering to wear the token to show their own support for victims of hate after the election of Donald Trump.
#safetypin on, in solidarity with those who Trump hates. I am a safe ally & I believe in a better world than the one I woke up to yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ynuf1Eg4UH
— happify (@happifydesign) November 10, 2016
Wearing a #safetypin in solidarity w all those exposed to hate & violence after the election. Let's stand as allies! https://t.co/c7awfDmK9t pic.twitter.com/s1WtckRj84
— Lucky Tran (@luckytran) November 10, 2016
I will protect whoever I can. I will speak up when I see injustice done.
*#safetypin #notmypresident #imwithher pic.twitter.com/S8UfvSr3bA— Cass Morris (@CassRMorris) November 10, 2016
The safety pin symbolizes that you are a "safe place" and that you will stand up for the rights of every single person. pic.twitter.com/31vzDR5621
— Spin2Knit (@HammockNotes) November 10, 2016
#pantsuitnation #safetypin "I am an ally. I will stand for your right to be who you are. I am safe." pic.twitter.com/YPKJh5wGXX
— Jen Baldwin (@ancestryjourney) November 10, 2016
#SafetyPin. I am an ally. Tell anyone afraid in Trump's new America they don't stand alone. #ImWithYou pic.twitter.com/Ib5wK6tMhY
— Lauren B. Davis (@Laurenbdavis) November 10, 2016
The symbol is small but the message is huge: We are with you. Stand up for all hate, and come together as citizens for a bigger, brighter future that hopefully, one day, won’t need secret messages of hope.