In a show of solidarity, many Australians have offered on Twitter to accompany people dressed in Muslim clothes who were afraid of a backlash from the cafe siege.
The hashtag #IllRideWithYou had been used more than 90,000 times by the evening.
Today's siege at the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in central Sydney continued with police trying to secure the release of hostages.
The spark for the campaign was a post on Facebook by Rachael Jacobs,. She reportedly said she'd seen a woman she presumed was Muslim silently removing her hijab while sitting next to her on the train: "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'.
The hashtag #IllRideWithYou has since been trending on Twitter in Sydney and other major Australian cities, with public transport users offering to act as buddies for anyone who might be too nervous to appear in public wearing religious garb.
Tens of thousands of Twitter users have already offered their support.
It's believed Twitter user "SirTessa" was the first to suggest the initiative, writing: " 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."
Others across Sydney and beyond were quick to join in.
Mia Lazzarini tweeted: "I'm in. If u wear religious garments & feel unsafe on public transport, I'll sit with u. Redfern-KX, peak hrs. #illridewithyou".
Another user, Polly Maeve, wrote: "I only ride a short distance to and from the city on the Belgrave/Lilydale/Alamain lines, but #illridewithyou. #racismstopswithme".
One user said he hoped to inscribe badges with the message, while others have begun printing labels bearing the hashtag and pinning them to bags and clothing.
Sydney-based lawyer and prominent Muslim woman Mariam Veiszadeh told the Press Association the movement was "heartwarming".
She was in a morning conference when news of the siege broke, and said she burst into tears when she learned there was a possible Islamist link: "I said, I'm sorry, and I know it's obvious, but I need to say these lunatics don't represent my faith."
She said she was unable to find a taxi to take her all the way home from work as demand surged in Sydney on Monday afternoon, but that another office worker - a stranger - insisted on driving her the final stretch to her door.
She said when symbols of the Islamic faith are co-opted by terrorists or criminals, "there tends to be an outpouring of support".
But she added: "It often unfortunately goes hand in hand with the vitriol that Muslims often get exposed to, and women often bear the brunt of that."
#IllRideWithYou anywhere, any time. Just let me know. This kind of movement makes me so, so god damn proud to be Australian.
— Tully Smyth (@tee_smyth) December 15, 2014
Loving the #illridewithyou initiative - if it can be called that. Absolutely restores faith in humanity & social responsibility. ❤
— Amrita Tanna (@Amr1ta) December 15, 2014
We may have different religions, languages or coloured skin but we are all one human race #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/A9Mdvq5UWl
— Kaela. (@floriialy) December 15, 2014
Beautiful: An Imam, a Rabbi and a priest hold joint prayer session for hostages - via @tomsteinfort pic.twitter.com/Taf9E9EYiA #illridewithyou
— Kon Karapanagiotidis (@Kon__K) December 15, 2014
Stop using Islam to cover up terrorism or any other religion for that matter. because.. #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/FltP9qrR66
— No. (@gxrgeous) December 15, 2014
the most peaceful and caring people I've ever met, never blame a whole religion for the acts of one. #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/sgs6E4NuAh
— lauren (@wtfloz) December 15, 2014
Thanks for protecting my sisters #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/Qy9l0lN1qB
— Angger Prawitasari (@anggerwitasari) December 15, 2014
Twitter, like humanity, can be cruel and inane but it can also be generous and inspiring. #illridewithyou
— Sarfraz Manzoor (@sarfrazmanzoor) December 15, 2014
I've met many people around the globe in my travels. Many great people. One rotten egg doesnt spoil it. #illridewithyou
— Steve Waugh (@RealSWaugh) December 15, 2014
This is me on the tram: if you feel vulnerable because dickheads & you see me, let's travel together. #illridewithyou pic.twitter.com/fgMy1sgXRu
— St Comrade Badhamus (@vanbadham) December 15, 2014
The actions of one doesn't defy a whole religion #illridewithyou
— lizmcgills (@lizgilliesE) December 15, 2014
#illridewithyou is about reassuring Muslims in Australia that there are people who will not condemn them when they ride trains tomorrow
— Jim (@Jimparedes) December 15, 2014
For the first time in a very long time, I am proud to be an Aussie #illridewithyou
— Tim Trotman (@trotsky87) December 15, 2014
Australians showing us how it's done. #Illridewithyou = solidarity and no to racism towards muslim community during Sydney seige
— Sarah Hay (@SarahxHay) December 15, 2014
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