Belgians respond to Brussels terror alert by flooding Twitter with cat pics
This weekend, Belgium was placed under the highest level of terror alert due to an unspecified "serious and imminent threat."
Brussels, the country's capital and home of the main seat of the European Parliament, is on lockdown Monday. The city's schools, universities and subway system remain closed as authorities scramble to locate individuals they fear could be planning Paris-style attacks on their city.
But, instead of giving into the fear, Belgiums have responded with a defiant showing on social media... by flooding it with tons and tons of cat pictures.
Oh yes. The stream of cat pics was sparked when the country's federal police made a request on Twitter for the public to maintain silence about the ongoing counter-terror operations on social media, for fear of alerting potential targets of the raids to police movements.
Par sécurité, veuillez respecter le silence radio sur les médias sociaux concernant les opérations de police en cours à #Bruxelles. Merci
— Police Fédérale (@PolFed_presse) November 22, 2015
With the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown, users flooded Twitter with cat pictures and cat memes, in a powerful gesture that showed they wouldn't lose their sense of humor over those individuals who will try so much to take their lives and ways of living. The flood of cat pictures also effectively buried any legitimate intelligence on police movements that might have been shared.
Post cat pics, not police movements #BrusselsLockdown #BelgianSurrealism pic.twitter.com/GYfzY65Qof
— Yves-Alexandre (@yvesalexandre) November 22, 2015
A reminder to relax and counsel each other.
#BrusselsLockDown Couraaaaaaage ! :) pic.twitter.com/bPXXV62ngz
— Keep Calm ! (@KeepCalmTn) November 22, 2015
May the force be with us. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/m9OuEVhfXS
— TineEeckhout (@TineEeckhout) November 22, 2015
They also poked fun at your predicament.
Residents told to stay away from windows. Not sure they got the message #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/kv3Mosk5mZ
— Matteo Albania (@m_albania) November 22, 2015
Stay inside they said. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/hpAfV417Hf
— Julia Reda (@Senficon) November 22, 2015
They even poke mock updates from their authorities.
Picture of Belgium's National Security Council when the door opens in the middle of the meeting #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4oWuBRtipO
— Florence (@flowindey) November 22, 2015
BREAKING NEWS : Belgium Police using the new 200mph Hovercat during terrorist operations #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/1LPrye29fJ
— Jayce le Satirique (@jaycelight) November 22, 2015
Darko is using his satellite dish to track the bad guys ... Almost there #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/RX4k6PAFQI
— patrick de francquen (@patje16) November 22, 2015
"This, dear outsiders, is how we fight terrorism here," tweeted Brussels resident Gilles Bordelais. "We haz kittenz!"
This, dear outsiders, is how we fight terrorism here. They haven't got a chance! We haz kittens! #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/sdq1MbrKsz
— Gilles Bordelais (@Gilles_PPDE) November 22, 2015
People around the world are taking notice, and they admire Belgian's resolve.
Well played Belgium. Not giving in to fear and turning #BrusselsLockdown into the best hashtag of 2015 #Cats pic.twitter.com/EPNVGA8DrH
— Tony Colville (@tony_colville) November 22, 2015
Well played, Belgium. Well played. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/5PpvoGocQC
— Kelsey Egan (@KelseyTrrrills) November 23, 2015
#BrusselsLockdown supporting Belgian Police. We're stronger than we think! #Brave pic.twitter.com/x5Lq7pKKb1
— Wendy Carrara (@wcarrara) November 22, 2015
Belgian federal police also appreciated their efforts. On Monday, they tweeted a symbol of their gratitude: a big bowl of cat food "for the cats who helped us yesterday."
Voor de katten die ons gisteren geholpen hebben... Alsjeblieft! #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/QlwY9EtzEZ
— Federale Politie (@FedPol_pers) November 23, 2015
Well done, Belgians. If we change our way of life due to fear from terrorists, they win.
Screw them.
“Rousseau pounced. Men who dislike cats were tyrannical: "They do not like cats because the cat is free and will never consent to become a slave.” ― Robert Zaretsky, The Philosophers' Quarrel: Rousseau, Hume, and the Limits of Human Understanding
Comments
comments powered by DisqusWhat Minnie does at night

Forbidden is her favorite flavor
Minnie reviews a self cleaning litter box!

The Cat & The Nutcracker

Wrapping presents when you have a baby AND a cat!
Nothing is more important...
Happy Pie Season!
The Cat Who Caught A Ghost
Cats can be friendly too!
Monster in the window