Fiber artists across the United States are turning to their craft as a form of protest against the Trump administration's policies, from national guard deployments to abortion rights rollbacks. In Portland, Oregon, a group of knitters calling themselves 'Knitters Against Fascism' have been holding weekly 'knit-ins' outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, aiming to present a calm, friendly presence and counter claims that the city was 'war ravaged'.
The protests began in early October after President Donald Trump ordered national guard troops to Portland, describing the city as under siege. Tracy Wright, a local knitter, organised the first gathering. 'I didn't want to go by myself,' she said. 'I wasn't sure what to expect.' The group brought knitting needles and lawn chairs, and word spread quickly via social media and knitting guilds. Michele Lee Bernstein, a knitwear designer, joined to show that Portland was not 'burning to the ground', and later designed a hat based on the 'Portland Frog' inflatable costume worn by other protesters.
Bernstein's frog hat pattern was downloaded by a church group, which raised $550 for a local food bank by selling knitted hats. She also sold one of her own hats for $100, donating the funds to the North-east Emergency Food Program. 'Small acts can make big change,' she said, noting that such efforts help address needs amplified by cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
The tradition of 'craftivism'—a term coined by writer Betsy Greer in 2003—has deep roots, from the embroidered handkerchiefs of Argentina's Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo to the Aids Memorial Quilt. Political scientist Hahrie Han of Johns Hopkins University explained that such projects build community solidarity, which is crucial for sustaining movements during difficult times. 'People are more likely to continue protesting if they don't want to let down their friends,' she said.
Shannon Downey, an embroidery artist, discovered craft's power after a bullet passed through her bedroom window during a shooting. She stitched a gun to reflect on the weapon and later shared the pattern online. Thousands of followers embroidered their own guns and mailed them to her, demonstrating how individual craft can foster collective action.
