By: abc.net.au
Source: abc.net.au
A hashtag showing support for Muslim Australians has taken off on social media following a siege at the Lindt cafe in Sydney on Monday.
#illridewithyou is trending worldwide on Twitter, rising by hundreds of tweets per minute since it began Monday morning.
702 ABC Sydney have had calls from Muslim listeners who say they are too scared to ride on public transport at the moment.
The hashtag appears to have come from a Facebook post from a woman who was riding on a train in Sydney, who noticed a Muslim woman quietly take off her head covering.
The woman said: “No, if you want to wear it, then wear it. I’ll walk with you.”
Another woman took to Twitter and wrote: “If you reg take the bus b/w Coogee/Martin PL, wear religious attire, &don’t feel safe alone: I’ll ride withyou. @me for schedule.”
The woman, Twitter user @sirtessa, then suggested “maybe start a hashtag? What’s in #illridewithyou?”
The hashtag has been picked up by a number of prominant tweeters as well as throngs of everyday users, making it one of the most prominant topics on Twitter.
Take a look at some of the tweets.
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
Dear assailant: you lose. Dear racists exploiting a tense situation: you lose. Dear real Australians: you win! #illridewithyou–
— ASIO (@HeyASIO) December 15, 2014
This is who we are, Australia. Never prouder. #illridewithyou
— Jessica Rudd (@Jess_Rudd) December 15, 2014
Let's not be clicktivists only but #illridewithyou activists….this may well be our finest communitarian hour.
— FatherBob (@FatherBob) 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
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
Australians offer to accompany Muslim Australians in public places if they fear racist backlash, using #illridewithyou hashtag. Beautiful.
— Bina Shah (@BinaShah) December 15, 2014
#Illridewithyou's a little ray of light on an otherwise dark day.
— Hilltop Hoods (@hilltophoods) December 15, 2014
#illridewithyou because together the journey is more fun. That, friends, is our victory: one haters will never know. pic.twitter.com/tuIzHWLNZj
— St Comrade Badhamus (@vanbadham) December 15, 2014
