By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/jihadists-swap-gun-photos-cuddly-kittens-twitter Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Jihadists swap gun photos for cuddly kittens on Twitter World Oct 2, 2014 4:27 PM EDT Twitter suspended the accounts of hundreds more pro-Islamic State group users this week. And some users have put up a defense — in the form of a kitten. Some of the account holders have swapped their gun-toting profile photos for cats, the now famous Internet memes. “This is the 21st century, and we’re talking about young people,” said Humera Khan, executive director of Muflehun, a think tank that works to counter violent extremism. “This makes their account at least visually more acceptable. It’s not an [Islamic State group] flag” but a kitten looking at one. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Twitter suspended the accounts of hundreds more pro-Islamic State group users this week. And some users have put up a defense — in the form of a kitten. Some of the account holders have swapped their gun-toting profile photos for cats, the now famous Internet memes. “This is the 21st century, and we’re talking about young people,” said Humera Khan, executive director of Muflehun, a think tank that works to counter violent extremism. “This makes their account at least visually more acceptable. It’s not an [Islamic State group] flag” but a kitten looking at one. Follow @NewsHourWorld We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now