If you're a Muslim Torontonian worried about your safety on public transit, a growing number of your neighbours have your back.
Police and the Toronto Transit Commission are investigating two cases of women wearing hijabs being harassed on subway trains. An earlier assault on a Toronto woman, racist graffiti and arson at a mosque in Peterborough, Ont., are part of a growing trend of anti-Muslim violence following last week's terrorist attacks in Paris.
On Twitter, Torontonians have begun showing their support to Muslim neighbours with the hashtag #IllRideWithYou, offering to accompany Muslims on public transit:
Of course #illridewithyou, gladly. Why wouldn't I?!
— lejardinbleu (@lejardinbleu) November 20, 2015If you're feeling unsafe and want someone with #WhitePrivilege to ride with, #IllRideWithYou #TTC https://t.co/how9L9BM2T
— Kelly Boaz (@Kelly_Boaz) November 19, 2015#illridewithyou Everyone deserves to feel safe every day. That's the Toronto I know and love. I'm on the Bloor-Danforth line, Monday-Friday.
— Anne Locke (@AnneLocke) November 20, 2015#IllRideWithYou anytime, anywhere. Get at me if you're feeling unsafe and need some help.
— Justin Kozuch (@jkozuch) November 20, 2015I wish I didn't need anyone to ride with me. I've been riding the #TTC alone since I was 8. #IllRideWithYou #Toronto https://t.co/35LQEjOk4g
— Farah N. Mawani (@farah_way) November 20, 2015The same hashtag was used last year in Australia after the deadly hostage-taking at a Sydney café by Man Haron Monis, an Iranian-born man who styled himself a sheik. Brisbane resident Rachael Jacobs's offer to walk with a Muslim woman on a train started a nationwide social-media campaign.
If you're a Muslim person feeling threatened on public transport in Aus pls check #illridewithyou for people in your area willing to support
— Cate Bolt (@catebolt) December 15, 2014The hashtag is not to be confused with #illgowithyou, a campaign used by transgender allies – modelled after the Australian campaign – to help transgender people safely use gendered washrooms. The hashtag has gained in popularity during Transgender Awareness Week, which ends Friday.
If you ever wanted to know the inspiration for #illgowithyou - it's Australia's #illridewithyou! https://t.co/A1chtRbgr3
— I'll Go With You (@illgowithyouorg) November 14, 2015MORE FROM THE GLOBE
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