"What's been happening in Minneapolis has been so egregious and awful
and so destructive to our community,"
shop owner Gilah Mashaal said of
federal agents' use of aggressive tactics.
It was obvious to her and Neary how the shop would protest.
They pulled out their knitting needles and got to work.
Neary created the pattern that has now become the well-known
"Melt the ICE" hat,
a red beanie-shaped cap topped with a braided tassel.
Since making the pattern availablefor $5,
the shop has raised nearly $400,000, Mashaal said Friday.
So far, she said, they have donated a total of $250,000 to two local nonprofits
focused on housing support for immigrants in the community
— STEP (St. Louis Park Emergency Program)
and the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund.
The red hat has become a movement in the crafting community,
popping up on social media and reaching other countries.
https://www.npr.org/2026/01/31/nx-s1-5693767/red-hat-protest-minnesota