Social media users have started a hashtag to support Muslims across Australia after a gunman took several people hostage in a Sydney cafe. The hashtag, #IllRideWithYou, is trending globally on Twitter and was started to tackle anti-Islam sentiment following the incident at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place. On ABC radio, Muslim callers had said they were afraid to ride public transport in fear of reprisal attacks. According to ABC, the hashtag started after one Twitter user witnessed a Muslim woman taking off her headscarf while riding the train in Sydney. The woman reportedly then said “No, if you want to wear it, then wear it. I’ll walk with you.” 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 Since then, social media users across Australia have shot the hashtag to global awareness, with users across several cities posting more than 65,000 tweets in the past three hours declaring they will ride with Muslims too scared to use public transport. Fear of reprisal is particularly…
#IllRideWithYou: Campaign to Show Support for Muslims After Sydney Siege
December 15, 2014
