It’s the little things. Americans are quietly showing their solidarity with minorities, LGBT individuals, women, Muslims and other groups that have been targeted by president-elect Donald Trump by wearing safety pins to show they are a “safe space.”
In the days following the stunning Tuesday, November 8, election results, many people in the United States have been fearful for their physical safety given Trump’s campaign rhetoric calling for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S, and his negative comments about women and people of color, as well as the reported physical and verbal attacks by his supporters since the win.
Though some anti-Trump protesters have actively taken to the streets in cities across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland and Minneapolis, others upset by Trump’s win are showing that they stand by their anxious friends, family and colleagues by wearing a tiny safety pin.
One Instagram user explained the history behind the safety pin with a photo of a collection of pins and a note: “Following the ‘Brexit’ vote, many people in the UK took up the safety pin to show their solidarity with refugees and immigrants — so that without a word, people may see your safety pin and know that you’re a friendly face, that they are ‘safe’ with you.”
“I wear a safety pin to show that immigrants, refugees, and anyone else threatened by the hate & fear mongering of Trump and many of his supporters can know that I care and will do all I can to combat xenophobia, racism, sexism, and ableism,” the note concludes.
See how people across the nation are standing together to voice their support.
