Protest - Wearing red on Fridays

[ihaveaquestion]

Just received the message below in an email from a friend. Apparently it's making the rounds. Does this sound legitimate?

I apologize if this is a dupe - I've been away for a week.

*********************

My name is Nadia Jensen and I have an idea for a quiet revolution.
Please take 5 minutes to read my email and then help me if you can:

Here's some history behind this idea:

When Norway was occupied by Germany in 1940, Norwegian women began to
knit RED caps for children as a way of letting everyone know that they
did not like what was happening in their country, that they didn't
like having their freedom taken away by the Nazis.

My great aunt, Karin Knudson Myrstad, was one of the women who knit red
caps for her children and others. Similarly, in Denmark, women knit
red-white-and blue caps (colors of the Allies) for the very same
reason.

The result was that whenever Norwegians and Danes left their homes --to
go to the store, to work, etc, they could see that THE MAJORITY opposed
what was going on in their country. As you know, both countries
organized effective Resistance efforts and changed history --
everything that happened began simply by wearing red!!!! (or the
colors of the Allies, in Denmark).

I believe, as many of us do, that at the very heart of our democracy is
our right to oppose certain policies of our government. increasingly,
our Government is redefining "freedom" in ways that make too many
Americans perceive that it is risky to oppose his policies -- and, in
particular, current inroads about individual freedoms and policies in
the U.S. and abroad.

However, many of us DO oppose what our government is doing to
individual rights--and I have an idea that will allow all of us to
recognize each other very easily so we can see that WE ARE THE
MAJORITY.

SO... I have been thinking that it's time to take action in a way that
is effective and easy for all of us to do:Just wear red every Friday
between now and election day. Wear a little or a lot-- just be sure
that when you leave your house to go about your day -- to work, to
school, to the store, to the gas station, wherever you go in your daily
routine -- that everyone who sees you will see that you are wearing red
because you believe in freedom and you don't agree with our current
administration's policies at home and abroad. I'm really certain that
we'll see that lots of us wearing red for freedom -- because WE ARE THE
MAJORITY. We just need a way to show each other who we are!!! Between
now and election day, ask everyone you know to wear red for "Freedom
Fridays".

I have already spread the word to friends and have had a very
enthusiastic response. This email has been forwarded around the country
by many who receive it - feel free to send in on to your friends and
coworkers.

[Racenut20]

1. I wear red every Friday during football season

Priest Holmes jersey.

Red on Friday is a big thing in Chief country. But since about half the Chief fans are Republicans, they may not adopt your plan.

[ihaveaquestion]

2. Not my plan

It's an internet chain letter.

I want folks to confirm/deny it's references or comment on it's effectiveness potential.

[olddem43]

3. That won't work here

because everyone would just assume that you are a Cincinnati Reds fan. We need something more distinctive.

[Wednesdays]

6. You have a point, there...

Re-thinking what I wrote below, maybe we'd need to wear something that does not look like a sports jersey. Extra points for silk-screened anti-Bush slogans!

[liveoaktx]

4. Plus, if going to wear a color, BLUE would be more appropriate

[TexasSissy]

8. In this instance, I agree.

Plus, dependson exactly WHAT the wearing of the color would signify. ABB? Against the War?

[ihaveaquestion]

9. Could be, but....

Blue is for Dems, but the point of this is to be anti-Bush admin and pro-civil rights, not to identify as a Dem. I like the tie to the historical protest against the Nazis.

[Wednesdays]

5. Would crimson be close enough?

Because it would be easy for us here in Oklahoma to find and wear t-shirts that color during football season. And in Alabama, too. And Nebraskans can wear scarlet.

[chimpy the poopthrower]

7. I think it's legit.

The idea, at least. I don't know about the story. I got the same e-mail weeks ago and looked on Snopes but didn't see anything about it. What can it hurt? Worst case is that people won't know what it means.

[ihaveaquestion]

10. It would be more effective if the public at large

has an idea what it signifies. A story on the national news would be needed for that. Though word of mouth could be enough to identify with each other. Would a red ribbon be better?

[EDT]

11. The Majority in Norway opposed occupation??? I don't think so.

"The result was that whenever Norwegians and Danes left their homes --to
go to the store, to work, etc, they could see that THE MAJORITY opposed
what was going on in their country."

The Nazis would hang people at the highest hill near the center of Oslo, leaving the bodies to rot there for days, as well as bussing off hundreds of Norwegians to be executed for crimes like being a teacher. I doubt
any Norwegian wanted them there.

I think the originator of the story has tailored it too much to parallel to current times.