Belgium Answer Terror Threat With Cat Photos
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After Belgian's capital city declared a lockdown following reports of terror threats, the people of Belgium responded by flooding the internet with cat photos with the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown.
A city in lockdown.
On Saturday, the city of Brussels declared a Level 4 alert—the highest level—following fear of a "serious and imminent" attack, on par with the terror attacks in Paris on Nov. 13, the NY Times reports. The city's schools, shopping malls, museums, galleries, and subway system were shut down and remained closed in light of several terrorist suspects at large in Belgium's capital.
In response to the rising threat of violence, Belgium officially asked its citizens—via Twitter—not to post anything about police efforts, out of fear that doing so would help suspected terrorists evade police activity.
The brilliant response from Brussels.
The people of Belgium cooperated and took it one step further, giving the Internet something to smile about by posting tons of cat memes to show their support of the national security efforts.
#BrusselsLockDown Couraaaaaaage ! :) pic.twitter.com/bPXXV62ngz
— Keep Calm ! (@KeepCalmTn) November 22, 2015Darko is using his satellite dish to track the bad guys ... Almost there #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/RX4k6PAFQI
— patrick de francquen (@patje16) November 22, 2015BREAKING NEWS : Belgium Police using the new 200mph Hovercat during terrorist operations #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/MnIpiOZT3x
— Jayce le Satirique (@jaycelight) November 22, 2015Belgium authorities are continuing to seek out terror suspects, specifically 26-year-old Salah Abdeslam, who has been identified as one of the key organizers in the attacks in Paris, the Guardian reports. People have reported seeing Abdeslam in or around Brussels.
The Belgian Interior Minister, Jam Jambon, spoke to the Guardian about Belgium's counter-terrorism efforts.
"There are several suspects, that's why we have put in place such a concentration of resources," Jambon said. "We are following the situations minute by minute. There is no point in hiding that there is a real threat, but are doing everything we can, day and night, to counter this situaiton."
