The Paperclip Resistance Movement

During the Nazi occupation of Norway in WWII Norwegians used paperclips as a symbol of resistance, wearing them on their lapels as a sign of solidarity and unity. It was a subtle yet defiant act of resistance against occupiers and local Nazi authorities. 

The paperclip, representing the concept of “we are bound together,” became a visual symbol of unity and resistance. This idea started with students and teachers as a spontaneous grassroots movement. 

As a US citizen and first generation Norwegian, I wish to honor my father who was born in Norway in 1896. He immigrated to the USA when he was 11 years old and returned to England at age 16 to fight in WWI as a Merchant Marine for England because he was too young to enlist in the US Navy. He fought again in WWII as a Commander in the US Navy. He was then called up to serve once again in the Korean War due to a shortage of trained personnel. He died at age 57 years old when I was only 4 years old.  He gave his life to our country for the protection of democracy.

In reviving the Paperclip Resistance Movement in the United States, I vow to continue my father’s sacrifice for his country and in doing so, honor his heritage by actively showing resistance by wearing a paperclip. I will dedicate the rest of my life, in honor of my father, to the preservation of democracy and the resistance of the authoritarian government we are experiencing today in the United States of America. I would encourage everyone, around the world, to join us by wearing a paperclip every day, in show of unity and solidarity to openly demonstrate our collective resistance. We need to stand “bound together” united for our freedom in the USA and around the world.

My wife and I believe that this small object, a paperclip, has already been successfully used and became a mighty symbol that united everyone and represented the people’s resistance to tyranny and authoritarian governments. We can draw on the strength and bravery of my Norwegian ancestors, who were once courageous enough to openly demonstrate, everywhere they went, that they were not afraid to represent themselves or be identified as someone who refused to live in an occupied fascist state governed by a dictator….. by choosing to wear a paperclip!

Show the world you are not afraid to stand up to this insanity… wear a paperclip!  

Never allow yourself to normalize what is happening in our country with this administration… wear a paperclip!  

Never show fear or feel intimidated… wear a paperclip! 

Never let your anger diminish… wear a paperclip!  

Never stop fighting for your rights and freedoms and the rights and freedoms of others… wear a paperclip! 

Ollie Pedersen, proud First Generation American with a Norwegian father who immigrated to Bainbridge Island in 1907