#SafetyPin Is The Simple Way To Help Fight Post-Brexit Racism

Hate crimes have rocketed since the EU-referendum.
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Brits are being urged to help fight post-Brexit racism and show solidarity with the country's immigrant population by wearing a simple safety pin.

The campaign - started by Twitter user Allison - seeks to easily identify people who victims of race attacks can turn to if needed.

Hate crimes have rocketed since the EU-referendum last week with social media flooded with videos and accounts of abuse.

Allison tweeted the formulation of her idea...

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

The idea quickly gained traction and #SafetyPin was trending on Twitter on Tuesday night.

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

Today I'm showing my support for Britain's foreign born population. #safetypin https://t.co/nE3Uz3ZsqN pic.twitter.com/LfErqusMo8

— Donald H Taylor (@DonaldHTaylor) June 29, 2016

Shoulder to shoulder #safetypin pic.twitter.com/0FFrERjQuk

— On peut rêver (@Mariejeanne26Ff) June 29, 2016

The National Police Chiefs’ Council revealed a rise of 57% between Thursday and Sunday compared to the corresponding days four weeks ago.

Anecdotally, there has been a spate of verbal and physical attacks against those from Eastern Europe living in the UK.

"Table next to me says to Polish waitress "How come you're so cheerful? You're going home." Him and the missus started laughing." Disgusting

— Jamie Pohotsky (@jamiepohotsky) June 24, 2016

This weekend I and my family have witnessed 3 "when are you going home?" Racist incidents aimed at EU citizens here.

— Adam Boulton (@adamboultonSKY) June 26, 2016

The campaign leading up to the EU-referendum was repeatedly accused of xenophobia and the demonisation of immigrants on both sides.

A poster unveiled by Nigel Farage earlier this month was compared to Nazi propaganda.

It showed thousands of refugees crossing into Slovenia from Croatia during the height of the migrant crisis in October 2015 and even appeared to have a prominent white-skinned man edited out.

Ukip

Attacks on those from non-EU countries has also risen with a 57% increase of those against Muslims, including small children and Brits of foreign ancestry have also been targeted.

In utter shock: just been called p**i in my home town! Haven't heard that word here since the 80s..!

— Sima Kotecha (@sima_kotecha) June 27, 2016

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has asked Scotland Yard to be “extra vigilant” after a number of incidents were reported in the capital and around Britain, the Press Association reported.

“So it’s really important we stand guard against any rise in hate crimes or abuse by those who might use last week’s referendum as cover to seek to divide us.

“I’ve asked our police to be extra vigilant for any rise in cases of hate crime, and I’m calling on all Londoners to pull together and rally behind this great city.”

Picture from Romford today. (Photo with permission from the must-follow @diamondgeezer) pic.twitter.com/tsB56jAuww

— Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) June 25, 2016

One deluded gent was filmed by Channel 4 News admitting he voted leave “to stop Muslims coming into the EU”.

He said: “It’s all about immigration. It’s not about trade or Europe or anything like that, it’s all about immigration.

“It’s to stop Muslims coming into this country. Simple as that.”

You can watch the depressing clip here.

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