safety pin - you are safe with me

David

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Jul 25, 2016

• #1

Hi, pilgrims all. There is a growing movement in the UK and mainland Europe to wear a safety pin. The concept originally came from Australia - you good Aussies you! - here is the thing .. .with mass migration and movement of refugees, those desperate peoples, plus the home country retaliations to our foreign bombings from certain Arab/Islam areas, there has been a significant rise in random racist abuse, always upon the innocent.

The wearing of the safety pin signifies to the vulnerable "you are safe with me", it is for all those people who may suffer abuse. My daughter was hugged by a stranger, a foreign woman, in London for wearing one.
It occurred to me that on Camino we have pilgrims from all nations, all ages, all colours, all religions - so I wear the safety pin - perhaps you will too?

This is a photo of a British policeman wearing one - I don't know about you but it brings a lump to my throat. Buen Camino.

 

C clearly

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Most years since 2012

• Jul 25, 2016

• #2

I always walk the Camino with safety pins all over me! Now it has additional meaning.

 

SabsP

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

some and then more. see my signature.

• Jul 25, 2016

• #3

David ! Thank you. In these dark and troubled times, when it can be so easy to get scared and locked into one's own small "safe and trusted " world , it is good to see that people stay open and mindful for what happens around them.
When caring overrules cynicism!

 

Icacos

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2013)

• Jul 26, 2016

• #4

That's a lovely idea, David. Thank you! I've just put a safety pin on my hat, and I seldom leave home without my hat.
.

 

Stephen

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Twice walked from St Jean to Estella and once from Sarria to Santiago. Maybe someday I'll find the time to do the entire walk.
I've found the time. Just completed SJPP to Santiago. 25 Aug to 1st Oct, 2016.
And now the Portuguese from Lisbon.

• Jul 26, 2016

• #5

Not so very long ago Punks in the UK and Ireland wore them through their noses and ear lobes. That would be taking things a bit too far but this is a good idea and I'll put one on my hat.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&r...-4eRST8uT2J8KnETLR3V9aVw&ust=1469616348933521

 

LesBrass

Likes Walking

Time of past OR future Camino

yes...

• Jul 26, 2016

• #6

Stephen said:

Not so very long ago Punks in the UK and Ireland wore them through their noses and ear lobes.

Click to expand...

Me... I did that! Seems so long ago now.

I've just pinned one to my pack.

 

Seabird

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CF April/May (2016), starting in St. Palais, France

• Jul 26, 2016

• #7

What a generous, loving idea. And I love the bright color of the policeman's pin, which will likely lead to questions by people and a way to spread the message. Will do the same, since our country too is undergoing a spasm of racial issues. I can only hope it is a prelude to growth.

 

Peter Fransiscus

Be a Rainbow in someone else's cloud.

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.

• Jul 26, 2016

• #8

Get a safety pin out of my pack an get it on.
Thank you David for bringing this to our attention.
All those small things will help getting us cope with those troubled times where live in.
Wish you all save travels ,Peter.

 

W

whariwharangi

Guest

• Jul 26, 2016

• #9

Can I get one that says you're not safe with me?

Or is that just the default if I don't have a blue one?

 

Icacos

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances (2013)

• Jul 26, 2016

• #10

I changed mine to a pink as I don't think the blue one was visible enough.

 

Sixwheeler

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2013

• Jul 27, 2016

• #11

Dear David can always be relied on to shine some light into a dark world, I shall look for an appropriate safety pin in the morning. Thank you.

 

B

Bonita

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

September ( 2015)

• Jul 28, 2016

• #12

Stephen said:

Not so very long ago Punks in the UK and Ireland wore them through their noses and ear lobes. That would be taking things a bit too far but this is a good idea and I'll put one on my hat.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwigzIPi-ZDOAhXC7hoKHWUpBO8QjRwIBw&url=https://www.pinterest.com/pin/516014069780451582/&psig=AFQjCNF1iW-4eRST8uT2J8KnETLR3V9aVw&ust=1469616348933521

Click to expand...

I love your shell tattoo.

 

Stephen

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Twice walked from St Jean to Estella and once from Sarria to Santiago. Maybe someday I'll find the time to do the entire walk.
I've found the time. Just completed SJPP to Santiago. 25 Aug to 1st Oct, 2016.
And now the Portuguese from Lisbon.

• Jul 29, 2016

• #13

Thank you, Bonita. I'm pleased with it.
An American friend of mine who lives in Belfast walked the Camino last year with her mother and to mark the achievement both went to Helen who runs Skullduggery Tatu and got a smaller version of it on their foot.
When the opportunity arose for me to return to the Camino I told her I'd made an appointment and was going to get a copy of their tattoo. After the inking was done Helen returned my deposit, handed me an envelope, and said the tattoo had already been paid for.
I don't think my friend would mind me sharing the text of her note which was in the envelope:
"Stephen,
I wanted to help you with your tattoo as a wish to send along with you on your way. I hope you find peace and joy, and I know you will find beauty; within you and all around you.
Buen Camino."

I found both the gift, which will stay with me all my days, and the thoughtfulness expressed in the note very moving.

 

Stephen

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Twice walked from St Jean to Estella and once from Sarria to Santiago. Maybe someday I'll find the time to do the entire walk.
I've found the time. Just completed SJPP to Santiago. 25 Aug to 1st Oct, 2016.
And now the Portuguese from Lisbon.

• Aug 8, 2016

• #14

One of the charities I subscribe to, Medical foundation for the care of victims of torture, has just sent me a small blue pin which I'll pin on my hat.
Synchronicity, or what?