As police continue to patrol the Belgian capital in a major anti-terror operation, Brussels residents are doing their part by tweeting cat photos.
Officials asked city residents to refrain from posting messages online that could interfere with police raids as authorities hunt for a fugitive suspect in the Paris attacks Monday, the day after some Twitter users used the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown to share information about raids on Sunday.
But the hashtag is now being used in tweets featuring cat photos, in an effort to drown out any information about the police investigation.
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
The adorable cat photos also serve another purpose – to lighten the mood over the unprecedented lockdown that has shut down subways, schools and shopping malls in the city.
Is it safe to come out yet? #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/6S7J7fYRDc
— Stéphanie O'Keeffe (@stephokeeffe) November 22, 2015
You can't keep hiding. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4ls1e9qB3s
— Lore Vonck (@lorevonck) November 22, 2015
Belgium has a great sense of humor. #BelgianLockdown pic.twitter.com/IEFbalgV7X
— Capt. E Schamberger (@Capt__Eric) November 23, 2015
#BelgianLockdown pic.twitter.com/UBTgvMySfZ
— Michael DeVore (@joemuseum) November 23, 2015
On Monday, police responded to the cat campaign with a picture of cat food and the caption: "For the 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
