In an effort to blunt the impact of violent images following the deadly shooting in Strasbourg, France, thousands took to Twitter to post photos of kittens using the hashtag #DesChatonsPourStrasbourg (kittens for Strasbourg).
According to some participating in the effort, a similar effort to overtake violent pictures took place on social media during the 2016 terror attacks in Brussels, Germany.
To block the publication of fake news or violent images & to avoid revealing information on the ongoing police operation, Twitter users in #Strasbourg are posting pictures of kittens. I remember the same trend in Brussels in 2015. #DesChatonsPourStrasbourg pic.twitter.com/xphtEKoDEd
— Aurélie Bonal (@AurelieBonal) December 11, 2018
For some who took part in #DesChatonsPourStrasbourg, posting the cat photos was also promoted as a way not to hinder ongoing police investigations in the immediate moments following the shootings.
Please do not interfere with police investigations by posting photos or sensitive information, thank you.#DesChatonsPourStrasbourg #Strasbourg pic.twitter.com/kq5fa95gms
— Thaily Brimstone (@Thaily) December 11, 2018
The shootings at a Strasbourg Christmas market left three dead and six seriously wounded. The gunman is still at large.
In the hours after the attack, #DesChatonsPourStrasbourg began trending, but was later overtaken by #JeSuisStrasbourg.
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Read more:
Three dead and six seriously wounded as Strasbourg gunman remains at liberty
