#IllRideWithYou Hashtag Goes Viral as Aussies Show Support

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Published

December 15, 2014

The hashtag #IllRideWithYou, perhaps the one positive thing to so far arise from the tragic Martin Place siege that ended in the early hours of this morning, has gone viral, and caught the attention of people around the world.

The social media campaign arose yesterday afternoon, as people banded together to show support for Muslim Australians who may have been fearful of reprisals or abuse on public transport following the siege.

Per a Sydney Morning Herald report, It is now understood that young Sydney woman Rachael Jacobs sparked the movement after an encounter with a fellow passenger, which she posted about on social media.

“…and the (presumably) Muslim woman sitting next to me on the train silently removes her hijab,” she wrote.

“I ran after her at the train station. I said ‘put it back on. I’ll walk with u’. She started to cry and hugged me for about a minute – then walked off alone.”

A Muslim lady took off her scarf out of fear after the Sydney Siege & is comforted by strangers. #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/JJbPhn0YKh

— _ (@Sumi_hasan) December 15, 2014

The inspiring status quickly took hold, and within hours, Australians were offering their support. The hashtag has since gone viral, with hundreds of thousands of Tweets as of yesterday evening, and goodwill still pouring in.

The world’s media have picked up on the phenomenon, with articles from Time to the UK Telegraph.

Today, Australia wakes up to the tragic news that three people, including two hostages, died overnight at the conclusion of the Martin Place siege.

Though #IllRideWithYou sprang up in part from fear of reprisal attacks on public transport, there have been no reports of any yet, and we sincerely hope that Australia will stand together throughout today and the coming days.

Support and information is available for the distressed online at Lifeline by calling 13 11 24. You can contact your local mental health service via the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. You can find more information online from NSW Health here. Twenty-four hour support is also available at Kids Help Line online or on 1800 55 1800.