Just days after being handcuffed for bringing a clock to his high school in Texas, 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed continues to receive messages of solidarity.
Since the news broke of Mohamed's homemade clock being mistaken for a bomb by one of his teachers, #IStandWithAhmed has become the top trending hashtag on Twitter in the U.S.
It's a message of solidarity and support for the teenager that’s being echoed by many across the U.S. and Canada. That includes President Barack Obama, who reached out to Ahmed through the hashtag.
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
But Obama wasn't the only one in a position of power to offer his support. Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton encouraged Ahmed to keep his scientific curiosity.
Assumptions and fear don't keep us safe—they hold us back. Ahmed, stay curious and keep building. https://t.co/ywrlHUw3g1
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 16, 2015
Luminaries in the scientific community are also reaching out in order to help encourage Ahmed's passion for science, including scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Canada’s former astronaut Chris Hadfield.
Ahmed, I'd be happy to show you how we drive the Opportunity rover. Come visit us at JPL any time. #IStandWithAhmed https://t.co/VtesUugxj3
— Mike Seibert (@mikeseibert) September 16, 2015
Hi @IStandWithAhmed ! I'd love you to join us for our science show Generator in Toronto on 28 Oct. There's a ticket waiting for you.
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) September 16, 2015
Outside of the Twittersphere, Mark Zuckerberg posted on his Facebook page in support of Ahmed, inviting him to stop by Facebook headquarters. "Having the skill and ambition to build something cool should lead to applause, not arrest. The future belongs to people like Ahmed," he wrote.
Here are just a couple more of the many messages of support for Ahmed:
DIY project of the day: "How to Make Your Own Homemade Clock that isn’t a Bomb” http://t.co/v71zx4nqai #IStandWithAhmed
— Arianna Huffington (@ariannahuff) September 16, 2015
A broader explanation of "time keeping device"? #IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/PVYHILhwvk
— #IStandWithAhmed (@Felonious_munk) September 16, 2015