Parisians harness #PorteOuverte hashtag to help people affected by terror attacks
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Crowds leave the Stade de France where explosions were reported to have detonated outside the stadium during the France vs German friendly match near Paris, Nov. 13, 2015. (REUTERS/Gonazlo Fuentes)
Residents of Paris are using the hashtag #PorteOuverte or “Open
Door,” to offer support and shelter to people affected by Friday’s terror attacks.
With the French Capital reeling from the series of coordinated attacks and a mandatory curfew in force, Parisians quickly harnessed the power of social media to provide safety.
My Friends are safe, in a random woman's home. She's making them dinner, & preparing beds. Blessed. #PorteOuverte
— TK Westfield (@TWestfield) November 13, 2015
We are in Porte Maillot and we don't have place to stay now. Can someone help us with some place to stay near tonight? #PorteOuverte
— Dominik Kolenda (@omg_brand_me) November 13, 2015
In #Paris and looking for a shelter ? check out the #PorteOuverte hashtag to find a place, great solidarity by parisians
— Sylvain Deville (@DevilleSy) November 13, 2015
In a brief address Friday French President Francois Hollande
declared the entire nation under a state of emergency and ordered all borders closed, saying “unprecedented terror attacks were underway.” The closures mean no one can leave or enter the nation until the order is lifted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Facebook also activated its Safety Check feature in response to the Paris attacks. Designed for times of disaster or crisis, Safety Check lets users in a specific area notify friends and family that they are safe. Users can also check on others in the affected area and mark friends as safe.