Following the Paris attacks, officials conducting anti-terror raids around Belgium asked for “social media silence” to keep potential suspects in the dark. Witty Belgians rose to the challenge purr-fectly, swamping the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown with — what else? — pictures of cats.
Par sécurité, veuillez respecter le silence radio sur les médias sociaux concernant les opérations de police en cours à #Bruxelles. Merci
— Police Fédérale (@policefederale) November 22, 2015
With only Twitter, the Internet’s cat-alogue of kitty memes, and national news for company, citizens found a hilarious way to bury potentially sensitive Tweets.
https://twitter.com/SeimenBurum/status/668534972161093632/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
Belgians stuck inside soon found a way to make light of the situation.
Stay inside they said. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/hpAfV417Hf
— Felix Reda (@Senficon) November 22, 2015
From kitty costumes…
https://twitter.com/jflamman/status/668548487085182976/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
…to famous villains…
https://twitter.com/TineEeckhout/status/668552072783142912/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
…and superheroes.
https://twitter.com/amitbhatr/status/668555983547981824/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
These cats have everything under control.
https://twitter.com/loredewitte/status/668558619491848192/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
Utilsing the latest in cat-tastic technology.
https://twitter.com/jaycelight/status/668536938778009600/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
And following vigorous research of military strategy.
We must not let fear win…#BrusselsLockDown pic.twitter.com/GAr5YGpkGz
— Maiol Sanaüja (@maiolsanauja) November 23, 2015
Talks were under way.
Picture of Belgium's National Security Council when the door opens in the middle of the meeting #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4oWuBRtipO
— Flo (@flowindey) November 22, 2015
Plus inspired use of the cone of shame.
https://twitter.com/patje16/status/668538905499705348/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
These cats weren’t pussy footing around.
https://twitter.com/Gilles_PPDE/status/668559921164742656?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
As the hashtag spread, other countries offered their support and praised Belgium’s humor.
https://twitter.com/tony_colville/status/668553130628485126/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc^tfw
Thanks to the media and citizens for their silence online as asked during the juridicial intervention tonight #BrusselsLockdown
— CrisisCenter Belgium (@CrisiscenterBE) November 22, 2015
Belgium has set the bar pretty high, so next time Twitter gets itself in a tizz about public safety, you know what to do (as if you needed another reason to post cat photos).