The Stream

#ISpeakOutBecause takes on oppression, bigotry

Sparks fly on Twitter as anti-Islam activists attempt to hijack hashtag created by American Muslims.

When the Muslim Public Affairs Council started the hashtag #ISpeakOutBecause, they intended for users to take part by sharing why they stood against oppression around the world. But after a flood of tweets from anti-Islam Twitter users, the conversation turned to combating racism and bigotry directed at the Muslim community.

The original campaign asked users to take photos of themselves explaining why they “are not afraid to speak out for those who are oppressed.”