Social Media Campaign lifts spirits after Sydney Siege

Tuesday 16 December 2014

Marama Fox, Co-leader of the Maori Party

Māori Party Co-leader, Marama Fox, has reached out across the Tasman to commend the initiative of Australian woman, Rachael Jacobs, who inspired the #illridewithyou campaign.

“As New Zealanders have reflected on the horrific ordeal that took place in a Sydney café, many of us have struggled to make sense of the brutal standoff that left three people dead.

“The hashtag campaign encourages us all to look past the actions of the gunman and stand up for unity rather than to become agents of anger and prejudice.

“I understand the social media initiative occurred spontaneously in response to some reported racist accusations levelled towards members of the Muslim community, especially on public transport”.

“I’ll ride with you is a statement of cultural competency; an affirmation of kotahitanga – the drive to come together as one. It has been so powerful to see the hashtag campaign trending globally on Twitter, mobilising the might of many to believe in the power of good rather than collapsing in the shadow of fear. Māori Party is proud to join the world in declaring, #illridewithyou any day’.

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