#illridewithyou: Australians show solidarity with Muslims during Sydney siege
Australians are showing solidarity with Muslims on Twitter, using the hashtag #illridewithyou in a preemptive bid to curb Islamophobia after a gunman demanded hostages inside a Sydney café display an Islamic flag.
On Facebook, Rachael Jacobs described an interaction with a woman seated next to her on a train who removed her hijab in apparent fear of a backlash. Jacobs's Facebook posts were tweeted by a Twitter user.
This, this is what good people do. #sydneyseige #MartinPlace pic.twitter.com/zxbHLWzxEp
— Michael James (@MichaelJames_TV) December 15, 2014
Apparently inspired by Jacobs, a Sydney-based Twitter user offered to ride a bus with those who "wear religious attire [and] don't feel safe alone."
"I’ll ride with you," @SirTessa tweeted, quickly following up with the suggested hashtag #illridewithyou.
If you reg take the #373 bus b/w Coogee/MartinPl, wear religious attire, & don’t feel safe alone: I’ll ride with you. @ me for schedule.
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014
Maybe start a hashtag? What’s in #illridewithyou?
— Sir Tessa (@sirtessa) December 15, 2014
Many Australians followed @SirTessa's lead.
If you wear religious attire, & need to get from #Adelaide's westsuburbs to the city on Tues but don't want to travel alone #illridewithyou”
— Clara Collin (@msclaracollin) December 15, 2014
I'm on train: Newtown to Museum, 9ish out 5.30ish in. If you wear religious attire & don't want to be travelling alone & me #illridewithyou
— ZuckerBaby (@ZuckerBaby) December 15, 2014
Riding the #19 tram to a poetry gig tonight. Muslims #illridewithyou; racists, you can get off and walk
— Benjamin Solah (@benjaminsolah) December 15, 2014
Let's remember Sydneysiders (best people on earth) actions of a lone wolf do not reflect on any group of our fellow citizens #illridewithyou
— Luke Baz Mortimer (@LukeBazMort) December 15, 2014
I drive but today I visited small business today to assure the Muslim owners that I was with them at this difficult time #illridewithyou
— Peter Doyle (@PeterDoyley) December 15, 2014
This is my Australia. Being a Muslim this hashtag is the best thing happened today. I Love You Australia. #illridewithyou
— Arif (@Atozai) December 15, 2014
Local Muslims tweeted their appreciation.
I was going to drive to work tomorrow but seeing the outpouring of support changed my mind. #illridewithyou Thank you. See you on the train!
— Ozge Sevindik (@OzgeSevindik) December 15, 2014
Thanks for protecting my sisters #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/Qy9l0lN1qB
— Angger Prawitasari (@anggerwitasari) December 15, 2014
It wasn't long before the hashtag began trending worldwide.
#IllRideWithYou: Sydney Stands Up To Racism And Bigotry With One Beautiful Hashtag http://t.co/oDMu7NcKIG pic.twitter.com/Exn8kz7Sml
— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) December 15, 2014
extremism is an idea as much as it is #isis or any group. #illridewithyou - supporting muslims, showing peace prevails is a weapon vs terror
— Chris Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) December 15, 2014
I love it when the world comes together to promote love ❤️ #illridewithyou http://t.co/2okl3hdQWL
— Ileana D'Cruz (@Ileana_Official) December 15, 2014
Australians offer to go with Muslim Australians in public places if they fear racist backlash #illridewithyou So much better than bigotry
— Julian Burnside (@JulianBurnside) December 15, 2014
Still hope for humans RT @RuwaydaMustafah: #illridewithyou: Australians offer support to Muslims after Sydney siege http://t.co/lrK3Sr2O7I
— Mathew Ingram (@mathewi) December 15, 2014
Later, Jacobs took to Twitter to thank @SirTessa and others for spreading the message.
1/2 #illridewithyou overwhelmed. Mine was a small gesture because of sadness that someone would ever feel unwelcome because of beliefs
— Rachael Jacobs (@rachaeljacobs) December 15, 2014
2/2 I’m not the story. Anyone joining #illridewithyou is incredibly inspiring, creating a path to peace for all of us. Thank you @sirtessa
— Rachael Jacobs (@rachaeljacobs) December 15, 2014