This Is Why People Are Posting Cat Pictures After The Barcelona Attack

Following the horrific attack on the Catalan capital on August 17, social media users have started posting images of cats on their accounts with the hashtag #Barcelona. While these feline faces may be cute to look at, there’s more to this move than just an attempt to cheer people up.

The attacks that unfolded in the Spanish province of Catalonia this past week have so far left 15 people dead and many more seriously injured. The main site of the attack was on the famous La Rambla boulevard in the centre of Barcelona, where a car drove down the main pedestrianised walkway mowing through the crowds at full speed.

Shortly after the attack, many people started sharing horrifying images of the aftermath on social media. This prompted the Catalan police to ask people to refrain from posting graphic images of the dead and wounded out of respect for the families and concern for public decency.

🚩Por respeto a las víctimas y a sus familias, por favor, NO compartas imágenes de heridos en atropello de #Ramblas de Barcelona
— Policía Nacional (@policia) 17 August 2017
Soon after, some social media users decided to take strategic action to flush out the barrage of shocking images which were swamping the #Barcelona hashtag. Inspired by a similar strategy which was used in Brussels following the terrorist attacks in November 2015, they began posting images of cats with the Barcelona hashtag.

Authorities asked sharing images be stopped. Cat photos being used to saturate hashtag #Barcelona & bury insensitive and traumatic images pic.twitter.com/y92ISBokfH
— Sarah Crisp (@sairydust) 17 August 2017
Stop tweeting horrible footages! #Barcelona #cat pic.twitter.com/QEzLPVahu6
— Lucas Schipper (@Lucas_Schipper) 17 August 2017
By taking the Barcelona hashtag by storm, these Twitter users hoped to spare the gruesome details of the hurt and damage inflicted that day. In so doing, they also help counteract the sense of terror and fear which can often spread on social media after this type of incident – and may give the attackers a sense of accomplishment or even valuable information about police movements.

#barcelona #ramblas NO DIFUNDID INFO POLICIAL! Llenad todo de gatitos! DON’T SHARE POLICE INFO! Put #cat to avoid info used for terrorists pic.twitter.com/fMFEGipW8f
— Elisenda ||*|| (@elisendagg) 17 August 2017
On the other hand, concerns have been voiced that by posting such light-hearted images, social media users are belittling the plight of the victims and their families.

Nina says “Goodnight Twitterfriends! Sending purrs to all my #Barcelona friends! Have a peaceful #fluffyfursday evening!”🌛
💤🐾🐱🐾💤#PURRS4Otto pic.twitter.com/NBCoazveEK
— Dave D. (@DaveD_40) 17 August 2017
Yet, going by the huge outpour of support which has been shown by locals, visitors and the international community over recent days, it’s hard to imagine that this curious trend is anything but a genuine attempt to alleviate the suffering which is currently being felt in the Catalan capital.

About the author

Tara Jessop

Tara is a travel writer and editor who lived in Barcelona for 5 years writing exclusively for Culture Trip. She has a passion for sharing experiences around food and wine.