Within a week of the tragic Paris attacks, Brussels police have locked down the capital city owing to terror fears. We’ve already looked at how the tech world reacted to the Paris attacks, but a new trend has emerged following a Tweet from the Belgian Police.
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
Given the real time nature of news these days, thanks largely to the likes of Twitter and Periscope, Brussels police have asked the public to refrain from tweeting any updates on any operations the public may be witnessing. What was to follow this evening can only be described as brilliant.
#BrusselsLockdown – Radio Silence Makes Way for Armed Cats
One of those headlines you just can’t miss. Heeding the request from the Belgian Police, Twitter users went one further than just stay quiet. In typical internet fashion, the hashtag #BrusselsLockdown is now the home on Twitter for everything you would ever need to find on armed cats. Yup, you couldn’t make this stuff up. From military genius kitty to sniper rifle kitty, the whole lot is to be found on Twitter right now. While it may be considered a smart tactic to flood Twitter with information like this just in case some actual information comes through, the real win here is overcoming the tension that accompanies a city being shut down for days. Well played Belgium.
We must win the fear… #BrusselsLockDown pic.twitter.com/nDwqOkQ3ii — Maiol Sanaüja (@maiolsanauja) November 22, 2015
Aircrafts flying over Belgium during #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/ulQ9Aro8qN
— Jens Bombey (@J_enom) November 22, 2015
‘If you let my daughter go now, that’ll be the end of it. But if you don’t…’ #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/1AsLcxI9go
— The Pixel Factor (@ThePixelFactor) November 22, 2015
Belgians Are Supporting The #BrusselsLockdown By Tweeting Cute Cat Pics https://t.co/DXhzN6U5u1 pic.twitter.com/2PujJwEm0f — BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) November 22, 2015
Meanwhile in belgium #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/MUAJXzLFEf
— Basile Bong (@basilebong) November 22, 2015
Bon, et donc, pour demain, quid dans BruxHell ??? #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/2SYda3GTCR — Marie Moon (@Marie_Idea) November 23, 2015
Major police operation underway in #BrusselsLockdown pic.twitter.com/DUZwfi0lOO
— Harry Boone (@towersight) November 22, 2015
