Sydney siege: #illridewithyou trend goes global in defence of Muslims

IT started as an inspiring post on Facebook, but the hashtag #illridewithyou is now trending worldwide.

IT started as an inspiring post on Facebook, but the hashtag #illridewithyou is now trending worldwide, as Australians choose to kick back against Islamophobia.

While yesterday’s siege at Sydney’s Martin Place was unfolding, a young Sydney woman named Rachael Jacobs noticed a fellow commuter taking off her hijab on the train.

She ran after the woman and told her to put it back on, saying “Put it back on. I’ll walk with you”.

It didn’t take long for social media users to replicate this sentiment on Twitter, offering to keep accompany any Muslims who felt unsafe travelling in their religious attire.

The hashtag #illridewithyou being used over 120,000 times last night alone, with many still tweeting today, as the nation mourns 34-year-old Tori Johnson and 38-year-old Katrina Dawson.

My thoughts go out to the hostages and their families, and to the police and emergency services personnel . #lovesydney #illridewithyou

— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) December 15, 2014

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

Australians offer to go with Muslim Australians in public places if they fear racist backlash #illridewithyou So much better than bigotry

— Julian Burnside (@JulianBurnside) December 15, 2014

LIVE COVERAGE: Three dead in Sydney siege