Minnesota citizens have adopted a new symbol of resistance against ICE. Created and posted to Reddit by Ferel_user, the “Rebel Loon” combines Minnesota’s state bird, the common loon, and the popular icon used by the Rebellion in Star Wars, the starbird. The icon also features colors from the state flag.
The creator of the symbol said that the idea came to them “on Martin Luther King Jr. Day after seeing conversations online and thinking about how people from different backgrounds were coming together”. This show of solidarity across communities was compared to the “Rebel Alliance in Star Wars… a group made up of people across the galaxy fighting a powerful empire”. The comparison between what happens in Star Wars and what we are seeing today with actions of US citizens and ICE agents acting under orders of the current administration is as clear as day.
After being posted to the r/Minnesota Reddit page, the symbol quickly gained popularity. The creator wrote, “My hope for the logo was for people to be inspired by it and make their own”. A website was also created that allows users to customize the colors, backgrounds, and even add a laser shooting out of the loon’s eye.
From coast to coast, people across the US have embraced the idea wholeheartedly, with many other designs being shared across Reddit featuring different state birds. On the east coast, a thrush for Vermont, a chickadee for Maine, and an eastern goldfinch for New Jersey. Oregon has a western meadowlark version, and an American goldfinch for Washington State.
People in the Twin Cities are even getting tattoos of the symbol. A tattoo parlor in Minneapolis, Gothic Knight Tattoo, held a fundraiser offering the design and similar ones for $50, with all the proceeds going to Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee. In total, they raised over $6000.
This symbol is more than just a trend. One of the artists, Fia Lopez, said, “You don’t commit to putting something on your skin forever if it’s just to cosplay”. Sean McArdle was one of the people to get the symbol tattooed. He explained that he wanted a permanent reminder of what is happening right now and that the symbol brought him home, reminding him, “we have friends everywhere. We are not alone”.
I believe using a well-recognized icon, like the starbird symbol from Star Wars, is a great way to use a fictional story that almost everyone knows as a point of comparison to what is happening today. There has been discourse online about who the “good” and “bad” guys are when it comes to ICE activity in the US. Comparing protesters to the rebels in Star Wars makes sure that it is no longer a question about who is on the right side.
I also think that the symbol bears a resemblance to another fictional symbol of rebellion, the mockingjay from The Hunger Games. I am curious to see if Disney, as the owners of the Star Wars franchise, will take any action against the use of the symbol. I would argue that the rebel loon is basically free advertising, encouraging people to interact with Star Wars. It definitely wouldn’t be a good look if they choose to take legal action, and I am sure another boycott would be right around the corner.
