Australia is no stranger to racially motivated attacks, as most Indians who pay attention to the news know. For many in India, Australia is that place where several Indian students were beaten up, although this reputation has subsided in the last few years. Still, it appears Australians themselves are aware of the reputation and the need to ensure the safety of those who look a little different.
On December 15, after a gunman displaying a black Islamic flag took a number of people hostage at a cafe in Sydney, social media networks were flooded with anger at Muslims and the spread of extremism in Australia. To ensure that this doesn’t turn into real violence, concerned Australians decided to do their bit at keeping people safe by accompanying Muslims who feel threatened when out on public transport.
@sirtessa started the initiative, which immediately spread through twitter through the #Illridewithyou hashtag.
As the hashtag took off, people from around Sydney began offering their company to anyone who travelled by public transport and was concerned about their personal safety. The hashtag was also accompanied by an outpouring of anti-Islamophobic rhetoric to counter the anti-Muslim comments that had become so widespread on social media.
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