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The city of Boston is launching a poster campaign to fight Islamophobia by encouraging bystanders to intervene, in a nonconfrontational way, if they witness anti-Muslim harassment.


Starting Monday, the city began installing 50 posters around the city with advice on what to do if you see Islamophobic behavior. The posters recommend sitting by a victim of harassment and talking with them about a neutral subject while ignoring the harasser.

"The technique is called 'non-complementary behavior,' and is intended to disempower an aggressive person by countering their expectations," The Associated Press reports.

 was drawn by a Paris-based artist named Maeril and translated into English for The Middle Eastern Feminist group on Facebook.

"These posters are one tool we have to send the message that all are welcome in Boston," Mayor Marty Walsh said, according to the AP. "Education is key to fighting intolerance, and these posters share a simple strategy for engaging with those around you."

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A similar campaign is underway in San Francisco, the wire service reports.

 that Boston's poster initiative "follows 

 against a man for allegedly yelling anti-Muslim slurs at a 61-year-old woman who was wearing a headscarf and riding the Orange Line." Creamer continues:

The posters will remain in place for six months, the AP says.

Social Issues

A poster offers advice on how a bystander can help someone experiencing anti-Muslim harassment -- without challenging the harasser. "Education is key to fighting intolerance," the mayor says.

Boston launches anti-Islamophobia poster campaign

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