After reports of post-referendum hate crime, people have been encouraged to wear a safety pin to show solidarity with immigrants living in the UK.
According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council, initial figures have shown a 57% rise in reported incidents. On Monday, the prime minister, David Cameron, condemned the “despicable” abuse.
Allison, who preferred not to give her last name, wanted to do something to show solidarity with immigrants living in the UK. As an American living in London, she had been unable to vote in the referendum, but was concerned about the increase in reports of abuse.
So I have an idea similar to #ridewithme to help protect those eing abused as result of Brexit referendum - but I need your help.
— miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 26, 2016
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.
— miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 26, 2016
I quite like the idea of just putting a safety pin, empty of anything else, on your coat. A literal SAFETY pin!
— miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 26, 2016
“I kept seeing these reports about people being abused on buses and trains,” she told the Guardian.
“I was watching the Euros with my husband and I thought, how can we show people in public we are going to stand with them? We didn’t want to force people to go out and buy something so I said, what about a safety pin? Most people have one somewhere in the house.
“My husband said it’s like a pin of safety – he likes puns.”
Allison tweeted about it on Sunday, and by Tuesday, #safetypin was trending on Twitter as people posted pictures wearing the symbol.
Wearing #SafetyPin in solidarity with those from all over the world who make our NHS tick-intolerance to hate & fear pic.twitter.com/OEKSrcXknp
— Alexander Gates (@dr_alex_gates) June 29, 2016
Wearing a #safetypin to show solidarity with EU citizens and immigrants here in the UK. #youarewelcomehere pic.twitter.com/dQ0sukN9t5
— Emma Pass (@EmmaPass) June 28, 2016
Ready to be your #SafetyPin on the bus,in streets,wherever you are,my fellow foreign-born friends ❤️#LoveOverFear pic.twitter.com/4wqzMCHs2N
— Dancing Psychiatrist (@Lollindialogue) June 29, 2016
I'm also wearing #safetypin to show solidarity with immigrants and EU citizens. ☺ #HopeNotHate pic.twitter.com/6CSo1cqHFh
— Fuad Alakbarov (@DrAlakbarov) June 29, 2016
Similar hashtags have sprung up in solidarity with victims of hate crime in the past. For example, after attacks in Sydney raised fears there would be reprisals against members of the Muslim community, thousands of people tweeted #illridewithyou in solidarity.
Day 1 of Initiative #safetypin - for EU nat'ls and for immigrants, this means I'm a safe person in an unsafe world. pic.twitter.com/WurV3QOIP8
— miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 27, 2016
Ready for the day. #safetypin Everyone/anyone suffering racial abuse of violence, I'm on your side. pic.twitter.com/oIIwdkT3ll
— Susan Elkin (@SusanElkinJourn) June 29, 2016
Allison said it was important the pin and the hashtag were not treated as an empty gesture with no action behind it.
“If you put the pin on, to me you are pledging to stand up. It can’t just be an empty gesture. You are pledging to make a difference. You could record what’s happening, you could call the police, stop the bus driver.
“Even if you feel too frightened, you can go to the person afterwards and say: ‘I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do for you?’ Even if it’s just making them a cup of tea.”
