Peaceful ‘red hat’ protest takes place in Berwick

The Berwick event was held as a gesture of solidarity inspired by the red hat movement that has emerged in Minnesota, USA.

This follows the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, by Customs and Border Protection officers during an immigration enforcement crackdown.

The movement itself draws on an older European tradition of wearing a simple red wool hat as a quiet but recognisable act of civilian resistance.

It stems from World War Two when Norwegians began wearing red knit caps as a sign of resistance to the Nazis who had occupied the country.

Wearing them as a form of protest was outlawed on February 26, 1942 – so to mark the anniversary people were encouraged to put on a red hat in support of democracy and unity.

Sarah Coxon, owner of Coxon & Coxon Wine Rooms on Bridge Street, said: “That sign of resistance is remembered in Norway every year on that date but it’s also taken hold in America because a lot of Scandinavians moved there. There is a significant Norwegian heritage in Minnesota and a lot of people have begun wearing red hats after the incident there.

"We’re appalled by what is happening in America but didn’t know what to do or how to voice any concerns so I put it out there that we could hold this event as a show of solidarity.”

There were 67 participants – and several dogs - in Thursday evening’s protest, meeting at the town hall and making their way to the Old Bridge.

"It’s not going to change anything but it shows there are decent people out there who recognise there has been this travesty of human rights,” said Sarah. “We’re a long way away but we have a voice and we can say that it’s not on.”

Writing on Instagram, she added: “It is not acceptable in a democracy to have armed militias grabbing people they deem to be ‘other’ off the streets. All people have a right to due process and have the same laws apply to all.”