A social media movement in Australia is showing that solidarity is the best way to respond to extremism, no matter where it comes from.
In response to the hostage situation in Sydney, Australia, anti-Muslim sentiment has flooded social media following reports that the incident may be linked in some way to the so-called Islamic State. It should come as no surprise that many U.S.-based Islamophobes are using this situation — as they do — to advance their agendas.
However, everyday people across Australia have been offering to accompany Muslims on public transportation, or even give them rides, in order to keep them safe from hateful, retaliatory attacks. The hashtag #IllRideWithYou emerged after Brisbane-based reporter Michael James shared this Facebook post:
This, this is what good people do. #sydneyseige#MartinPlacepic.twitter.com/zxbHLWzxEp
— Michael James (@MichaelJames_TV) December 15, 2014
In the span of only two hours, tens of thousands of people joined a Twitter user @sirtessa in offering to provide support Muslims around Australia, with more continuing today.
#illridewithyou Tweets
Read more about #IllRideWithYou here and here.