Here's Why #DCPublicSchools Is Trending on Twitter

For anyone not watching Sunday night's Emmy Awards and wondering why the hashtag #DCPublicSchools is trending on Twitter, a quick explainer: Dave Chappelle first offered a shout-out to DC Public Schools while onstage to present the Emmy for outstanding directing in a comedy series. "Now we’re going to read this teleprompter. Shout-out to DC Public Schools," said the comedian, who grew up in Washington, DC, The Wrap reports. Later, when John Oliver accepted the award for the writing team of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, he referred back to that moment in a bid to make the hashtag go viral.

"Like Dave Chappelle, I would like to unexpectedly thank DC Public Schools, because I think it would be great if it started trending on Twitter for no reason tonight whatsoever," Oliver said, and urged anyone tweeting about the Emmys to add the hashtag #DCPublicSchools. As UPROXX reports, the hashtag started trending almost immediately and was soon second only to #Emmys on the list of trending hashtags. "#DCpublicschools your wish is my command, @iamjohnoliver," reads one sample tweet. Others took action with their tweets: "Americas foundation is public schools not charter schools. Fund them!! Love you, thank you John Oliver and all your writers #DCPublicSchools." (Click to keep up with the night's winners.)