The Paperclip Resistance
It all begins with an idea.
During WWI, the Nazis invaded Norway and they ruled the country for almost five years. By 1945 some 400,000 German troops were operating in Norway, controlling a population of about 4 million. Around 40,000 Norwegians were imprisoned and over 10,000 lost their lives. Norway had one of the strongest Nazi resistances on the entire European continent and the strongest contingent were the teachers and students.
During that time, there was an underground Resistance movement in Norway which was very active against the Nazi war machine. But ordinary citizens also fought back, and one of the subtle ways they signaled their defiance of authoritarianism and Nazi occupation was to wear, you guessed it, a paperclip! Yes, the humble paperclip, representing the concept of “we are bound together,” became a visual symbol of unity, resistance, and courage during dark times.
The Nazis soon caught on to its significance and eventually banned its use, which demonstrates its effectiveness as a tool of protest.
And it is becoming that same symbol again! The Paperclip Resistance has been resurrected to serve as an organized, hopefully nationwide, symbolic movement against the authoritarian regime now active in Washington DC.
From The Paperclip Resistance website: “The Paperclip Resistance Movement is a revival of the past legacy of the brave Norwegian people who never gave up. We can draw on their strength and courage once again, to openly demonstrate our own courage and resolve and be identified as someone who NEVER GIVES UP, by simply wearing a paperclip. Our hope is that no matter one’s income, everyone can join the cause with a symbol everyone can afford and is readily available. A symbol we can rally around, that has already been identified as an image for the preservation of democracy. For a second time in recent history, this has now become a grassroots movement, for the people and by the people.”
It’s going to go viral on social media! Already talked about on Substack: Paper Clip Protest - Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance. Notably, E. Jean Carroll, yes the lady who was successful in not one but two lawsuits against Trump, has taken to wearing a paperclip!
So even if you don’t feel you can resist the Trump administration in any other way (due to lack of opportunity or a legitimate fear of reprisal), you can wear a paperclip!