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Safety pins in show of solidarity after Trump election

Washington - Trump's upset win there has been a reported uptick in reports of racist and xenophobic incidents, fuelling fears for the period ahead.

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The diminutive safety pin is packing a punch these days with some Americans wearing the fasteners as a sign of solidarity against intolerance after the election of Donald Trump.
By placing a single pin on their shirts, people hope to convey a message of support to minorities, women, immigrants and others who may feel threatened by the strident rhetoric that carried the Republican billionaire to the White House.

 

#Repost @thenortherncurrent ··· Safety pin selfie! The safety pin shows solidarity with anyone feeling frightened or threatened by intolerance. I will stand up for these people and let them know I support them. I will speak out against hatred when I see it, hear it, or read it. Now let's see your safety pins! #safetypin #selfie #safetypinmovement #lovewins #nohate #youaresafewithme
A photo posted by Safety Pins in Solidarity (@safetypinsinsolidarity) on Nov 12, 2016 at 7:07am PST

The safety pin social media movement gained prominence in Britain on Twitter as a sign of solidarity with immigrant and minority populations facing a reported surge in hate crimes after the Brexit vote.

 

#Repost @marycmccormack ··· I'm pinned. Wear a safety pin to tell all immigrants, people of color, women, people with disabilities and LGBTQ they're safe with us. #safetypin
A photo posted by Safety Pins in Solidarity (@safetypinsinsolidarity) on Nov 11, 2016 at 7:54pm PST

Since the US election on Tuesday, the phenomenon has started catching on across the Atlantic, with celebrities including Debra Messing as well as ordinary people posting images of their safety pins on social media.

 

#Repost @whitneycummings ··· Everyone deserves to be safe. Finally a reason to not regret this tattoo. #safetypin #safetypinsolidarity
A photo posted by Safety Pins in Solidarity (@safetypinsinsolidarity) on Nov 11, 2016 at 7:51pm PST

During a bitter two-year campaign that tugged at America's democratic fabric, Trump pledged to deport illegal immigrants, ban Muslims and called Mexicans rapists and drug runners, claims which have created fears of xenophobia now that he has been elected to office.
Since Trump's upset win there has been a reported uptick in reports of racist and xenophobic incidents, fuelling fears for the period ahead.
The South Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate groups, tracked more than 200 incidents of election-related harassment and intimidation in the three days following the election.
More than 47,000 people have signed an SPLC petition urging Trump to clearly distance himself from "haters" - from white nationalists to anti-Muslim and anti-gay extremists - who are celebrating his victory.