#BrusselsLockdown flooded with cat pics: Belgian police request social media blackout, lolcats ensue

As a manhunt for a suspected Paris terror attack conspirator continues, the Internet helps as only the Internet can

Published November 23, 2015 4:37PM (EST)

  (<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-707785p1.html'>DreamBig</a> via <a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>)
(DreamBig via Shutterstock)

Belgian police yesterday requested a social media blackout in Brussels amid an ongoing three-day manhunt for fugitive Paris attacker Salah Abdeslam. The effort by Belgian police was to prevent people in Brussels from tweeting details of police whereabouts and threatening the efficacy of counterterrorism raids.

The Internet has a vast archive of cat memes seemingly predating the garage days of Apple. Some might think these kitty pix are doomed to collect dust on grandma's Facebook wall until computers become sentient. Think again. 

Belgium incorporated cats into their national security tactics this weekend--and it was adorable:

Meanwhile, I was at brunch:

 


By Brendan Gauthier

Brendan Gauthier is a freelance writer.

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Belgium #brusselslockdown Cat Memes Paris Attacks