#IfISeeAClown new trend in US amid creepy encounters
Following a series of creepy accounts of threatening clowns roaming the US, the hashtag #IfISeeAClown is trending on social media.
#IfISeeAClownpic.twitter.com/9RDMJZvy9X
— 🅴than (@ethanwardhuey) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown ima run like this... smh can't even trust Mc donalds anymore pic.twitter.com/yjLnEIy3Q3
— jared farmer (@jaredfarmer_) October 3, 2016
A worrying number of reports of clown sightings have emerged from 28 states across the US over the last few months, which have led to school closures and arrests.
READ MORE: Teens charged with ‘terroristic threats’ after creepy clown abduction posts on Facebook
Some of the clown spottings have turned out to be hoaxes, but a number of schools have had to close following threats made by social media accounts owned by alleged clowns.
A 13-year-old girl was arrested in Virginia on Monday for soliciting the services of a clown on social media to kill her teacher. Four teenagers were arrested in Georgia for making threats about abducting children while dressed as clowns.
Ronald McDonald, My 5th grade math teacher, Crusty the clown, Bozo, Mr. Noodle, IF I SEE YOU, ITS SMASH ON SIGHT!! #IfISeeAClownpic.twitter.com/4oWAFdPH9D
— #TakeHerHoodie Ⓥ (@YoungAdolf_) October 3, 2016
On Friday a school in Reading, Ohio was closed after a woman was reportedly attacked by a clown who had threatened students at the school.
#IfISeeAClown run forrest run pic.twitter.com/0HLQIkTAoo
— Soca (@SocaSainval) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown it's every man for himself pic.twitter.com/bWwoWVY0Pa
— M☾ (@maylanmarie) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown imma put them paws on that clown... pic.twitter.com/bs9fEGFy32
— Isjina ( 爱自己 ) 🍂 (@princessgamer24) October 3, 2016
The social media response to the creepy clown sightings show just how many people are afraid of clowns in general.
Glad to see #IfISeeAClown full of people like myself who think clowns are creepy and evil. Goddamn. pic.twitter.com/GgOzNLt9Ut
— sam shelley (@hermesgypsy) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown I know it's a Democrat acting like they love Blacks so they can get our vote. pic.twitter.com/P0DInAXgsb
— Quanell X Isadoofus (@Quanellxdoofus) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown and a Cop while being unarmed and black.. Who would you run toward 🤔
— iMinikon | ▲ (@iMinikon) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown I'll be prepared. pic.twitter.com/HluyIHeD9a
— Dammit, I just (@StevenEveral) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown my reaction will be situational... pic.twitter.com/q64RWJVsDv
— Ecklebob Chiselfritz (@RotNScoundrel) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown pretty self explanatory pic.twitter.com/evkuJNKo2q
— Diana #OASF (@TheCaLiDee) October 3, 2016
Not everyone was spreading anti-clown tweets. Some social media users were concerned for unsuspecting clowns who might stumble on the hashtag.
Actual clowns seeing the #ifiseeaclown hashtag: pic.twitter.com/42iQoIcmkE
— Alec Ploof (@AlecPloof) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown Frankly I'm quite disturbed by all the hostile and violent tweets directed at these poor, defenseless clowns.
— Envy (@FMAEnvywhatnot) October 3, 2016
While clown lovers said they would be happy to come across a clown.
I will ask for a balloon animal. #IfISeeAClownpic.twitter.com/GkYX0CWVF5
— Jessica (@LoveLprdPrint) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown we could hang out, chill, mime around for a bit, whatevs
— Red Monkey ENT (@RedMonkey_ENT) October 3, 2016
I like clowns btw
fite mehttps://t.co/cvF4DJHJot
#IfISeeAClown I would hug him and take a picture with him. 'cause I like taking pics with things people are afraid of... pic.twitter.com/nZS8RkIQ3W
— Denny Ts. (@denny8998) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown I'm spreading my legs 😍😩😉👅👏👌💓💯
— emi 🕸 (@emisxlis) October 3, 2016
#ifiseeaclown I dunno if I'd have a problem. He seems like a lot of laughs pic.twitter.com/qblmXWWMti
— Deplorable Agentmom (@agentm0m) October 3, 2016
Many couldn’t resist using the hashtag to reflect on the US elections and its candidates.
So #IfISeeAClown who should I call? pic.twitter.com/avz0CZKqTU
— JR (@PolloVenenoso) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown, it will be the third scariest thing at a @HillaryClinton rally
— Deplorable Winston (@WinstonS6079W) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown I know it's Hillary Clinton acting like she loves Blacks for our votes pic.twitter.com/O1O6KJB1LA
— Quanell X Isadoofus (@Quanellxdoofus) October 3, 2016
#IfISeeAClown, I'm not going to vote for him. pic.twitter.com/556Za5t7Ov
— Chris (@ChrisSeay03) October 3, 2016
I've been seeing one for the last 8 years, and next to him is another, dressed in clown attire. #IfISeeAClownpic.twitter.com/5947wAAFFz
— Faisal7 (@Faisal7HTX) October 3, 2016
