Brussels has been on high alert since it was discovered that one of the terrorists responsible for the terror attack in Paris was from the capital city of Belgium, and it appears that is where he has fled. For days, Brussels has been on lockdown as authorities continue raids in search of possible attackers.
Prime Minister Charles Michel said:
I indicated yesterday that what we are concerned about an attack similar to the one that was carried out in Paris involving several individuals and maybe targeting attacks on several sites simultaneously.
As Belgian police continue to search for suspected terrorists and they fear a “serious and imminent” threat — they also worry that their plans will be foiled by leaks on social media. So, they directly asked citizens to avoid divulging information about what may be happening on their streets.
Belgian police asks to refrain from tweeting on any operation. #Brussel #BrusselsAlert
— Jurek Kuczkiewicz (@jujikucz) November 22, 2015
The Belgians responded positively. In fact, they have taken it one step further. Rather than just remaining mute, allowing the few clueless (or even malice) individuals to provide details that could assist terrorists - they flooded the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown with pretty much the best thing imaginable. . .
Cat Pictures!
Here are the best ones we found.
Major police operation underway in #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/DUZwfi0lOO
— Harry Boone (@towersight) November 22, 2015
BREAKING NEWS : Belgium Police using the new 200mph Hovercat during terrorist operations #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/MnIpiOZT3x
— Jayce le Satirique (@jaycelight) November 22, 2015
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
#BrusselsLockdown - because we can't hear your terrorism over the sound of our kittehs pic.twitter.com/c0F2y9PlMz
— Helen Ingram (@drhingram) November 22, 2015
#relax, Mes amis #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/LENxVUnnv9
— JaneAustenMaMaschio (@ExTimUpperClass) November 22, 2015
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
Belgian police asked not to share info of anti-terrorism raids so everyone is posting cat pictures #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/vrz26Lhsav
— Persian Rose (@PersianRose1) November 22, 2015
May the force be with us. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/m9OuEVhfXS
— TineEeckhout (@TineEeckhout) November 22, 2015
They knew their day would come #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/AbARuxAIbN
— LoveIsLouder (@ornys_elf) November 22, 2015
BREAKING: Belgian police have released a photograph of the main supect #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/8FDAjZglZn
— Jeroen Flamman (@jflamman) November 22, 2015
#BrusselsLockdown supporting Belgian Police. We're stronger than we think! #Brave pic.twitter.com/x5Lq7pKKb1
— Wendy Carrara (@wcarrara) November 22, 2015
Kitten calm and stay safe #BrusselsLockdown @Na_carrera pic.twitter.com/eb8ZF6arBR
— SouLFury (@SouLFury) November 22, 2015
You can't keep hiding. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4ls1e9qB3s
— Lore Vonck (@lorevonck) November 22, 2015
Don't share info on situation #BrusselsLockdown that may help suspects. Confuse them with #cat pics @lopcute pic.twitter.com/0MlbjgCF4v
— Seimen Burum (@SeimenBurum) November 22, 2015
Belgian surrealism at its best. People posting cats on twitter to confuse the terrorists. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/KuNZBmUGuK
— Wom (@womfleming) November 23, 2015
Post cat pics, not police movements #BrusselsLockdown #BelgianSurrealism pic.twitter.com/GYfzY65Qof
— Yves-Alexandre (@yvesalexandre) November 22, 2015
We must not let fear win… #BrusselsLockDown pic.twitter.com/GAr5YGpkGz
— Maiol Sanaüja (@maiolsanauja) November 23, 2015
While these tweets may seem trivial and even flippant in light of such horrific danger - Alexander Smith of NBC News said it well:
While ostensibly frivolous, the viral meme’s effect was threefold. It enforced the Twitter radio silence, buried any tweets that might harm the operations, and eased some of the tension in what has become an anxious city.
Well done, internet. Well done.
Featured images via Twitter
