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Safety Pins - A Sign of Support for Minorities Following Trump Election

by VOA News

   Many Americans are wearing a single safety pin fastened to their shirts
   since the election of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump as a symbol of
   solidarity against intolerance.

   The small gesture is intended show quiet support for minorities, women,
   immigrants, and LGBT people who may feel marginalized by hateful
   rhetoric surrounding Trump's campaign. His campaign promises to deport
   immigrants and ban Muslims from the country in addition to lewd
   comments degrading women have fueled fears of xenophobia now that he is
   poised to take office.

   Since his election Tuesday, reports have shown an uptick in racist
   incidents and hate crimes across the country. The Southern Poverty Law
   Center, which monitors hate groups, documented more than 200 incidents
   of hateful harassment and intimidation in the three days after election
   day.

   The safety pin trend has spread on social media, following a trend from
   earlier this year when opponents of Brexit in the UK also wore safety
   pins in solidarity with immigrants and minority groups who also
   experienced a reported surge in hate crimes.