#IStandWithAhmed: Social Media Responds With Messages Of Support For Texas Teen
By Melony Roy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- School officials in Texas are standing by their decision to detain and suspend Ahmed Mohamed for bringing a homemade clock to school. But on social media, the 14-year-old has found some high-profile supporters, including President Barack Obama, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg, and the Internet community.
The president tweeted:
Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It's what makes America great.
— President Obama (@POTUS) September 16, 2015
Zuckerberg shared a post on Facebook saying, "Having the skill and ambition to build something cool should lead to applause, not arrest. The future belongs to people like Ahmed." And even invited Ahmed to visit him at work. "Ahmed, if you ever want to come by Facebook, I'd love to meet you. Keep building," Zuckerberg wrote.
Google also invited him to its science fair, but only if he brings his clock.
Hey Ahmed- we're saving a seat for you at this weekend's Google Science Fair...want to come? Bring your clock! #IStandwithAhmed
— Google Science Fair (@googlescifair) September 16, 2015
According to Topsy, the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed has been tweeted more than 370,000 times in the past 24 hours and was trending worldwide and locally on Twitter.
Some people posted photos of themselves with clocks or watches to show solidarity and expressed outrage over what they believe was a case of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Ahmed's family has set up a Twitter account, @IStandWithAhmed, to share updates, tweeting that he was on his way to meet with an attorney.
