Belgium has been stifled by suspicions of terrorists attacks the entire weekend. The feeling that there was an imminent attack on the capital city of Brussels was so great that government officials ushered in the highest level of terror alert and even shut down the metro and schools through Monday. However, the citizens of Belgium laughed in the face of the terrorists by showing that they were not afraid and posted photos of cats in defiance.
On Sunday, Belgian police conducted several raids in Brussels, and police detained 16 suspects. During the raids, authorities asked people on social media to not comment on the raids or the movements of the police during the counter-terrorism operation as to not tip-off the terrorists.
Thanks to the media and citizens for their silence online as asked during the juridicial intervention tonight #BrusselsLockdown
— CrisisCenter Belgium (@CrisiscenterBE) November 22, 2015
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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
“For security, please respect the radio silence on social media concerning the police operations underway in Brussels,” the police wrote. “Thanks.”
The citizens of Brussels understood the importance of the social media silence and instead displayed a surreal display of solidarity… with cat pics. Lots and lots and lots of cat pics. In fact, there were so many cat pics with the hashtag of #BrusselsLockdown that it buried any tweets mentioning police movements.
Post cat pics, not police movements #BrusselsLockdown #BelgianSurrealism pic.twitter.com/GYfzY65Qof
— Yves-Alexandre (@yvesalexandre) November 22, 2015
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The Army has released the cat tank. Terrorists you are so screwed. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/TsD3rLpOwt
— Mara Um (@mara85kh) November 22, 2015
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May the force be with us. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/m9OuEVhfXS
— TineEeckhout (@TineEeckhout) November 22, 2015
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Supercat is on its way #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/cgfAhGkecl
— Guefine (@guefine) November 22, 2015
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#BrusselsLockdown le chat du côté obscur veille. pic.twitter.com/o76sN0dxms
— Laurent Herion (@HerionLaurent) November 22, 2015
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L'armée est sur le coup ! #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/xmnhc5Wguo
— ☨ ктѕа ☨ (@_GeReM_) November 22, 2015
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You can't keep hiding. #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/4ls1e9qB3s
— Lore Vonck (@lorevonck) November 22, 2015
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Exclusive picture of the man the police is looking for #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/9dHN9gA4yw
— Florence (@flowindey) November 22, 2015
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BREAKING NEWS : Belgium Police using the new 200mph Hovercat during terrorist operations #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/MnIpiOZT3x
— Jayce le Satirique (@jaycelight) November 22, 2015
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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
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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
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Major police operation underway in #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/DUZwfi0lOO
— Harry Boone (@towersight) November 22, 2015
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#relax, Mes amis #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/LENxVUnnv9
— JaneAustenMaMaschio (@ExTimUpperClass) November 22, 2015
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A little country, a great sense of humor #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/wyQCjWJAlw
— elodieD (@elodiedavoise) November 22, 2015
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Good for you Belgiums! Way to not bow down to terrorists and to not spoil any attempts to take down these fear-mongers. Belgium might be the most Internety place outside the Internet itself.