Russell Crowe leads Hollywood reaction to Sydney siege

Armed police officers stand at the ready close to a cafe under siege at Martin Place in Sydney. Photo / AP

Russell Crowe has led an outpouring of grief and support on social media in the wake of Monday's tragic siege in Sydney.

'My thoughts go out to the hostages and their families, and to the police and emergency service personnel. #lovesydney #illridewithyou', the Hollywood actor wrote on Twitter in the hours following the 17 hour stand-off that ended in the death of two innocent hostages.

Australian singer Cody Simpson echoed his sentiments, reaching out to his homeland from his base in the US: '#PrayForSydney. So utterly saddened and terrified that my homeland is going through this crisis. Sending my love. Bring peace back to Aus.'

Five Seconds Of Summer guitarist Luke Hemmings also broke away from his commitments abroad to write: 'Sending love to Sydney,' while model and TV star Yolanda Foster and British singer-songwriter Boy George were among the international names pledging their thoughts and prayers.

Lindt cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, and 38-year-old barrister and mother-of-three Katrina Dawson were killed in the siege that unfolded in Martin Place in Sydney's central business district.

A number of celebrities have joined the hundreds of thousands of concerned Australians and sympathetic well-wishers the world over, expressing their deep sadness at the events which were brought to an end just after 2am on Tuesday.

The hashtag I'll Ride With You has gone viral with close to 118,000 people tweeting their support in a show of solidarity for members of the Muslim community who may be afraid of travelling on public transport in religious clothing.

'Sydney I love all of you, this is the perfect sentiment #illridewithyou,' wrote actress Rachael Taylor, 'Love, prayers and respects to the victims and their loved ones. Just heartbreaking.'

New Zealand star Sam Neil also used the hashtag saying: 'Sorrow. Calm. Reason. Compassion. Solidarity. Tolerance. Peace. #sydneysiege #illridewithyou'.

'Such dreadful news to wake up to. All of my love goes to those that were involved. Such a sad time for humanity,' wrote Getaway presenter and former Miss Universe Australia Jesinta Campbell.

'I implore people not to allow one persons selfish actions to define an entire religion/community. Let's stick together #illridewithyou,' she added.

Super Fun Night actress Rebel Wilson tweeted her support for the victims and their families following the London premiere of her new film Night At The Museum, and told news.com.au that she was terrified by the news.

'I got a call from my family because both my sisters work there across the Martin Place area,' she said, '[I] turned the TV on for 10 minutes to see what was happening, geez it was terrible.'

'It's scary, really scary,' said her co-star Ben Stiller while Sir Ben Kingsley added: 'God that's shocking, how distressing over in Sydney.'

- Daily Mail