Knitting Against Federal Immigration Tactics

A yarn store in Minneapolis has sparked a conversation by linking federal immigration enforcement to fascism. They’re promoting a red hat inspired by the traditional Norwegian cap used to resist the Nazi occupation during World War II.

This initiative originates from a group of knitters at the store, who created the “Melt the ICE” hat—a red beanie featuring a braided tassel. The design aimed to raise awareness about current immigration policies, which many view as aggressive.

“What’s happening in Minneapolis is so bad, so awful, so devastating to our community,” expressed the store owner, Gila Machar, regarding the federal agents’ tactics.

According to reports, after releasing the hat pattern, the store collected about $400,000 from sales, donating $250,000 to local nonprofits focused on providing housing assistance to immigrants, namely STEP and the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund. The movement has grown beyond the local community, with supporters reaching out from various countries expressing solidarity.

Paul Neary, a shop employee and history enthusiast, chose this cap style for its historical significance. Mats Tangesttuen, of the Resistance Museum in Oslo, noted that for Norwegians, the hat’s symbolism is rooted in non-violence and morale-boosting during extraordinarily dark times. He remarked, “Its primary function was to preserve hope and resist despair.” Interestingly, the cap was later banned by German forces.

Peter Fritsche, a history professor at the University of Illinois, noted that while the situation in Minnesota isn’t directly comparable to historical occupations, the presence of federal agents can create an overwhelming feeling of being under siege.

Interestingly, this narrative doesn’t mention the more severe cases of individuals apprehended, including those with serious criminal records, during recent immigration enforcement operations in the area.