The #SydneySiege is finally at an end, but a Twitter hashtag it inspired is still riding high as the top trending topic worldwide.
The New Yorker reports that a Sydney television reporter proposed the #illridewithyou hashtag after a woman tweeted about seeing another woman removing her hijab on a train, “presumably out of fear” of backlash against Muslims following the hostage crisis. “Put it back on. I’ll walk with you,” she reportedly told the woman, “inspiring a mini-movement in Sydney’s public-transportation system and reflections on who Australians might want to be now that the siege is over.”
Can someone point me to the horrible Islamophobic incident resulting in injury or loss of life in Sydney that necessitates #illridewithyou?
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) December 15, 2014
That was it as far as the story goes. But it was a thoughtful symbolic move that might have prevented a Islamophobic incident that never actually materialized. Behold:
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
The hashtag has since spread worldwide.
Trending Worldwide: #illridewithyou as Australians of all backgrounds, races and creeds unite against fear and hatred pic.twitter.com/E69sYyynbA
— Ben (@benliebmann) December 15, 2014
#IllRideWithYou is one of the coolest things I've seen on Twitter in a long time. Sometimes the triumph of the human spirit gets it right
— Jeneddy (@Sigroy) December 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/Ozrosco/status/544584454195265536
https://twitter.com/LOVEisLanguage/status/544584286293471232
We are all human beings.
We are all atoms of star dust.
Separation is societal.
Love each other as you love yourself.#illridewithyou— Manifest Life (@ManifestYourOwn) December 15, 2014
Thank you @sirtessa #illridewithyou Twitter feed is wonderfully heart warming during a tragic time. We can all learn from you.
— Sally Hasler (@sallyhasler) December 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/booshtasticc/status/544583904712486912
https://twitter.com/LukeBazMort/status/544432351804002304
The story that inspired the hashtag is a lovely one, but the accompanying story that the hostage taker was just another deranged “lone wolf” with no connection to global Islamic terrorism is problematic at best. For some, “I’ll ride with you” has its limits.
It's insane to believe that Sydney, Australia is less tolerant than [name any Muslim-held city in the world]. But okay, #illridewithyou.
— ?It's?Almost ⛄️Christmas? (@jtLOL) December 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/OrwellForks/status/544579199823282176
https://twitter.com/TheAmishDude/status/544586143874834432
Many of the people cheering #illridewithyou are cheering #HandsUpDontShoot and saying all police are racist monsters.
— Derek Hunter (@derekahunter) December 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/Han_McConnachie/status/544592067347750913
As usually, Iowahawk nails it.
#illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/t8aLkALpkj
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) December 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/DesScorp/status/544585124848078848
Related:
Media pushing deranged ‘lone wolf’ narrative in Sydney; This flashback reminder will enrage you
Here’s a brilliant test: How would media react if Sydney terrorist waved THIS flag?
‘Hate Sheikh’ Haron, #sydneysiege gunman, was vengeful Iranian immigrant with mile-long rap sheet
#SydneySiege: Jim Geraghty, Iowahawk crush reaction to terrorist’s ISIS flag with shattering idea
Report: Hostage taker demands ISIL flag and to talk to PM Abbott; Says 2 bombs in cafe
Police move in: Gunfire at #SydneySiege as hostages run from building ; Update: ‘Siege over’
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