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EVFAC closed our retail operations on Friday, January 31st, in solidarity with the General Strike held across the country. We are a small community organization, not a profiteering enterprise or political, but that is not the point. We closed because we stand with those who value human life and dignity over billionaire profit made through the escalation of fear, violence, and division. We stand with immigrants, with every family torn apart by ICE, and with every person facing the fear of being taken by their own government. The fiber arts have had subversive roles in revolution throughout history, and this article discusses how a yarn shop in Minneapolis is continuing this tradition. Click the image above to read the entire article, but here are some summarized and highlighted snippets: During the Nazi occupation of Norway in the 1940s, Norwegians wore red pointed hats called "nisselue" (which roughly translates to Santa hat) as a form of visual protest - a symbol so powerful that within two years, the Nazis made these hats illegal to wear, make, or distribute. This is the warning that was issued: "Warning. Red topplues. The use of red topplues has increased so much lately that from now on it is considered a demonstration. The use of these hats is therefore forbidden from Thursday, February 26, 1942. From this day, topplues will be confiscated from anyone who appears with such, and criminal liability will be enforced against the person concerned – for children under 14 years – against parents or guardians." Today, that tradition continues. Since making the pattern available for $5, Needle & Skein has raised nearly $400,000. So far, they have donated a total of $250,000 to two local nonprofits focused on housing support for immigrants in the community: STEP - St. Louis Park Emergency Program, and the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund. In response to criticisms she's heard about the hat being "performative," Mashaal, the shop owner, said the thousands of dollars that have gone toward supporting their community speaks for itself. If you download the pattern and knit a hat, we’d love to see it - bring it by the shop!! If you’d like to donate any to sell in, we’d love to take that on and route donations to a local organization supporting immigrant rights and getting ICE out of our community.
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