micdotcom:

Australians fight Islamophobia amidst hostage crisis with #IllRideWithYou

In the midst of the ongoing hostage crisis in downtown Sydney, Australians are showing the world they’re not caving to racism or Islamophobia. 

On Monday, an armed gunman stormed a cafe in Martin Place, entering a tense standoff with police. After the hostage-taker displayed an Islamic flag in the cafe’s window, many of Australia’s Muslims are understandably anxious about facing retribution. 

But instead, Australians have banded together on Twitter with #IllRideWithYou, a hashtag showing their solidarity with fellow countrymen scared of being attacked on public transportation. 

There have been more than 150,000 Tweets so far