Safety Pin Trend: Orange County Moms Weigh in on Silent Gesture

LOS ALAMITOS, CA — On Veterans Day 2016, a growing trend is sweeping social media. Wearing an empty safety pin. There are no ribbons attached, no strings, no color. It is merely a token sign of solidarity as a "safe ally" to show support of hate victims following the recent election.

The idea for wearing the pin started on Twitter, after Brexit, the referendum which allows Britain to leave the European Union, passed in June of 2016. Now, following an unprecedented and divisive election, #safetypin wearers are sprouting up across the country.

While many area residents feel the sign of the pin isn't needed, others feel differently. A small sign of hope, a visible marker that someone is an ally.

"I will wear one all day everyday. Silence only helps the oppressor not the oppressed," Reena Fosse of Tustin said, quoting Elie Wiesel.

One Los Alamitos area mom, who has chosen to remain nameless, was staying home on Friday, rather than face the ugliness that she says she sees in the world outside.

"Right now instead of going to a public Veterans Day event, I'm staying home because I'm worried someone might say something to my children," she said.

Having lived in the south and witnessed discrimination first hand, she hopes to shield her children from that sort of hatred.

"I have seen people be racist in front of me because they assume I agree with them," she said. "My children have never been around racists before."

Still, the newfound awareness of people wearing safety pins to show their support as allies against hatred and discrimination brought slight comfort in a time filled with protests, anger and bigotry she has noticed following the Trump election day.

"Seeing people with an outward sign that they won't target others out of hate helps a lot," she said.

Amina Maameri, formerly of Anaheim, now living in Washington D. C. expressed her enthusiasm for people deciding to wear pins.

"This is great," Maameri said. "An outward sign of love, respect and safety to mirror the internal feelings of acceptance of all people.'"

Teaching children to love instead of fear or hate is most important to OC Mom Stephanie Peterson.

"My daughter was so moved by it that she is going to talk to her teachers on Monday about starting a safety pin campaign at her school," she said.

Does one have to be Pro Hillary and Anti Trump to wear a safety pin? Absolutely not, says Brittany Doan, who failed to understand how a statement like the safety pin could be divisive.

"I don't understand why (the safety pin) is a symbol of division," Doan said. "I support Trump's presidency and would be happy to wear a safety pin to support unity. That's like saying wearing a pink ribbon or yellow ribbon divides."

What do you think of the #SafetyPin movement? Is it divisive or a measure of hope in a time of uncertainty? Share your thoughts in comments.

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