If you follow the news, you know that there have been some very sad events taking place in Spain. Recent attacks by terrorists have left several people dead and more injured, and some missing, with no answers yet as to why.
Authorities believe that those responsible and in hiding or attempting to flee the country might keep an eye on hashtags such as #Barcelona, #RamblasdeBarcelona, and #Ramblas to keep up with the aftermath of the attacks, patting themselves on the back and enjoying the chaos they’ve caused. Spanish police have asked social media users to be respectful of the families left broken. They also don’t want to give in to what the terrorists want by posting photos and reactions under hashtags they might follow. Users on Twitter have complied with the authorities’ request by filling these with pictures of cats instead.
Share cats not terror#Barcelona #gatos #GatosporBarcelona #Mojo #ragdoll pic.twitter.com/aCUztNPzTj
— Hans Gommer (@HansGommer) August 18, 2017
Not only is any news of the attack being mixed up and buried in tweets featuring big eyes and bundles of fur, but the photos are much more pleasant than any that could come from the scene of the crime. You may remember the same happening after an attack in Barcelona in 2015, where users banded together, blocking information from potential terrorists with cat photos under #brusselslockdown.
Trist.#Barcelona #lasRamblas #RamblasdeBarcelona #rambles pic.twitter.com/MlddLQnlLe
— keids (@qeids) August 17, 2017
#Barcelona #RamblasdeBarcelona #rambles pic.twitter.com/AaOIH2dlI6
— Fidel (@x__friko) August 17, 2017
Some might consider the posting of the photos to be offensive, making light of a seriously tragic event. But in such dark circumstances a show of solidarity mixed with a tiny bit of levity shouldn’t be considered rude to the families – but rude to the terrorists. It’s a way of saying “No matter how hard you try to scare us, there’s still good here, and we’re not giving in to fear.” And what better mascot to rally behind than a cat?