When police asked Brussels residents to take care with social media posts that might disclose security details during the weekend terror lockdown, Belgians cooperated with a mix of courage and humor. Instead of photos of soldiers and police, they tweeted cats.
The tweets included photos of cats with guns and in uniforms along with messages of defiance: "This, dear outsiders, is how we fight terrorism here. They haven't got a chance! We haz kittens!"
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) 22 november 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
They got him #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/qrKBKRh0Tc
-- Geert Van Bondt (@Geertvanbondt) November 22, 2015
If you see this person call the #police #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/d4sk6zTemY
-- Geert Van Bondt (@Geertvanbondt) November 22, 2015
Live press conference at 23:00 #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/eFRLjg68Ks
-- Geert Van Bondt (@Geertvanbondt) November 22, 2015
Stay low and don't panic #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/S2NpammaaU
-- Geert Van Bondt (@Geertvanbondt) November 22, 2015
They getting very close #silence #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/2YaYI0nYWC
-- Geert Van Bondt (@Geertvanbondt) November 22, 2015
You might provide fear in our city but we, on the other hand, have cats 😸 https://t.co/ldNVUUfsW2 #BrusselLockDown
-- Antonella (@Nell_ah) November 22, 2015
Cool cats strike back. #BrusselLockdown pic.twitter.com/TyIYLz328J
-- Michael Lescroart (@LescroartM) November 23, 2015
Shimmying my way through the #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/oz73sP6ej5
-- Michael Q Todd (@mqtodd) November 23, 2015
Respect to #Brussels for their social media cooperation during #BrusselLockDown .Canadians stand with you. pic.twitter.com/iqUuKyRj7E
-- Rita (@Ladamedemocracy) November 23, 2015
On Monday, police tweeted a thanks to the cats of Brussels for helping during the lockdown. Translation: "For cats who helped us last night ... Help yourself !"
Pour les chats qui nous ont aidé hier soir... Servez-vous! #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/7O5ENF6nXa
-- Police Fédérale (@PolFed_presse) November 23, 2015
Cat behavior before lockdown vs. cat behavior during lockdown #BrusselsLockdown #Cats pic.twitter.com/kLXHjRub2f
-- Jogchum Vrielink (@JogchumV) November 23, 2015
