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.
“For security, please respect the radio silence on social media concerning the police operations underway in Brussels.”
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.
“Don’t share info … Confuse them with #cat pics”.
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
The Belgian Crisis Center thanked the public for their bravery and the social media cat-out.
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).