The Paper Clip Posse

The Paper Clip Was Norway's Symbol of Anti-Fascism During World War II. The incomparable and indefatigable E. Jean Carroll Calls Us to Use It in the U.S.

E. Jean Carroll. Selfie photo from E. Jean Carroll.

A small signifier of resistance and one way less expensive than the infamous and intolerable red hat of hatred has been put forward by Trump’s worst nightmare — E. Jean Carroll.

Last week on her Substack newsletter, the journalist, satirist, eternal bad ass and Donald kryptonite posted a selfie. A pink paperclip had been attached to her gray shirt. She called upon “Conflabbians” like me to also tweak our wardrobe. Wearing a paperclip, she wrote, would let people know we resist and rebel against Donald and his MAGA-Nazis.

She noted the paperclip was a symbol during World War II against the Nazi regime in Norway. On April 9, 1940, Hitler invaded Norway. Once achieving use of the Scandinavian country’s naval bases, Hitler installed a puppet prime minister already friendly to fascism who willingly collaborated. That puppet Vidkun Quisling was later executed in Norway for treason. You can watch the movie about Quisling, his trial, and execution that’s now on YouTube for free.

In its article on Medium, the United States Holocaust Museum delved into the paper clip’s history and the soft resistance of Norway’s teachers and students:

The Norwegian King and government fled to London; Vidkun Quisling, a puppet of the Third Reich, proclaimed himself prime minister. Remarkably, Norway’s quiet resistance of teachers and families beat back the rise of fascism as individuals loyal to truth, education, and justice took courageous collective action.

Teachers there would wear paper clips in their lapels, while students wore them as necklaces or bracelets, a small symbol of resistance signaling how the country’s educators and learners remained united — bound together like a stack of papers — against Nazi rule.

This past Sunday, Carroll posted selfies from fellow Conflabbians and other people wearing paper clips. Mine is green. I haven’t yet sent Carroll a selfie of myself as she requested us because I don’t like my visage and hate being photographed. Nonetheless, this weekend I will clean myself up and have my husband take a photo of me to send off to Carroll. She called what’s been happening since her original post to her Conflabbians and lawyer Joyce Vance’s Saturday Substack post “The Paper Clip Mutiny!”

Carroll quotes from Vance’s Substack:

Friday, when I signed on to tape the #SistersInLaw Podcast, Jill Wine Banks had a clip delicately attached to the collar of her shirt. It made me smile. In that moment, I knew E. Jean was onto something. Our defiance can and must be loud and public at this point. But the quiet symbol of solidarity on someone’s collar when you walk into a crowded room? Genius. And much better than a red hat.

Carroll underscored that paper clips are inexpensive and a common office supply at work and in our own home offices. She also pointed out:

The president can’t sue the paper clip.

Can’t ban it.

Can’t deport it.

Can’t impose tariffs on it.

Can’t arrest it.

Can’t defund it.

Can’t appoint new members to the paper clip’s board.

Can’t blame the paper clip on Epstein.

Can’t assault it.

Can’t outlaw it.

Can’t freeze it.

Can’t bribe it.

Can’t cancel it.

Can’t replace the paper clip with the DOJ.…..

….I mean he could, but then he’d look ridiculous.

The more the president turns up the flames of hatred, the more we’ll clip in!

The more we clip in, the more we’ll see we’re not alone.

The more we see we’re not alone, the more each of us will be confident to take consequential action.

Because, Riotous Reader, the paper clip is not the action. It’s the spark. It’s the signal that says “We’re ready!” That says, “Let’s go!” That says, “We love our country.

I agree with Carroll 100%, and I know our resistance needs to follow through with what the paper clip symbolizes. We saw the power of economic boycotts with Jimmy Kimmel who returns to the airwaves tonight. Boycotting should also apply to advertisers on Nexstar and Sinclair media stations that will not show Kimmel tonight. These include local advertisers as well as Coca-Cola, Geiko, Ikea, Nissan, Ashley Furniture, Alka Seltzer, The Jewelry Exchange and Home Depot.

Boycotts work. We know this through the Montgomery Bus Boycott and what just happened with Kimmel. Since the United States thrives on capitalism and the free market, businesses and people only listen and change direction when their pocket books are pummeled.

Sign up for the General Strike here. I understand not every worker has sick days or union protection, but if you have one or both benefits at your job, sign a strike card and don’t work on the determined day. Italy just finished a general strike to protest Italy’s compliance in the Gaza genocide.

If you are physically able, come out and physically protest during the next No Kings Day on October 18.

And do it all wearing a paper clip.