Pool's Closed
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Part of a series on Anonymous. [View Related Entries]
Pool's Closed
Part of a series on Anonymous. [View Related Entries]
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| About • Origin • Spread • Reenactments in Real Life • Search Interest • External References • Recent Images • Recent Videos |
About
Pool's Closed is a catchphrase associated with a series of raids carried out by Anonymous against the online social networking site Habbo Hotel, where members of the group formed human blockades to obstruct the entry points of popular hangouts with their avatars dressed in afros and business suits. The first raid was launched in July 2006 after rumors began to spread on 4chan that some Habbo moderators had a tendency to ban users based on the skin colors of their avatars.
Origin
Sometime in 2006, rumors began to spread on 4chan's /b/ (random) board that Habbo's social moderators were prone to racial profiling against dark-skinned avatar users and abusing their ban powers to keep them out of the site. On July 6th, 2006, a group of 4chan users calling themselves /b/lockers decided to raid Habbo Hotel by forming blockades around the entrances of popular hangouts, exploiting a technical issue that wouldn't allow avatars to walk through each other when entering and exiting premises. As a result, the human blockade quickly became a source of frustration to the newcomer.

Spread
As time passed and the raids continued, the operation also became more organized and complex, with detailed instructions on how to participate:

Even a piece of software dubbed the "Pool Tool" was developed and released as freeware to provide tips on how to unban a character, spam phrases repeatedly and bypass the censor filter in chat mode. Among some of the notable phrases were "Pool's closed due to AIDS" and the word "harbl" (4chan's slang word for penis). Both of these words became banned from the site eventually.
July 12th, 2006
The raid continued throughout the week and its intensity peaked on July 12th, 2006, with /b/lockers joining in from Encyclopedia Dramatica, 4chan, YTMND and other Anonymous-affiliated websites. According to Lurkmore wiki, the sudden influx of nigra (a slang term for "nigga" on 4chan's /b/ board) avatars on Habbo Hotel crippled the majority of public rooms as well as discussion forums and led to the banning of several words like "AIDS." Later that day, Habbo Hotel went offline.
This marked a successful event, and every year on the same day, raiders anonymously log onto Habbo Hotel. They blockade the Hotel’s pool from entry while shouting “Pools closed” to users trying to enter. As a result of the 2006 raid, avatars that are black with an afro and a suit are automatically banned.
Related Mascots
The mascot of Habbo raids features a clip art of a smiling black man with an afro and arms crossed. Other mascots associated with the Habbo Hotel raids include the Afroduck, a character derived from a well-timed screenshot of a /b/blocker standing behind a bronze duck statue, and Swastiget, which refers to the group staging of a line formation in the shape of a swastika to anger the site's moderators.
Discovery Of Man With Crossed Arms Origin
In late October 2025, YouTuber Justin Whang uploaded a video titled "The Many Faces of 4Chan" as part of his "Tales From the Internet" series that discussed the evolution of various mascots for Anonymous over the years.

The day of the video's release on October 21st, Whang tweeted about it and noted in a post that the clip art of a smiling Black man with an afro and his arms crossed was "obviously traced from something," but concluded that he couldn't find the origin.[8]
Shortly after, Twitter[9] user @IKJLeio replied to Whang's tweet and stated that they had discovered an unedited version from a software site on Wayback Machine from 2006.[10]
Roughly two hours later, @IKJLeio then replied to their tweet and said they had found it, linking to another page from Internet Archive[11] that included the original character used in the Pool's Closed meme from "Task Force Clip Art Really Big Edition." The tweet received over 82,000 views and 830 likes in a day.
Reenactments in Real Life
The Habbo Hotel raids by 4chan's /b/ became so popular that they eventually gained some offline recognition as well. In Finland, people rallied together outside Sulake's headquarters (the parent company of Habbo Hotel) in afro wigs and suits, forming a real-life "swastiget." In the center was someone cosplaying the character Suiseiseki from the anime Rozen Maiden.
As time went on, people would go on to cosplay the "Pool's Closed" avatars at anime and internet culture conventions, or print the "Pool's Closed" mascot on a paper and take pictures of it at their pools.
In 2007 and 2008, people met up and went to screenings of the 2006 action thriller film Snakes on a Plane in afro wigs and suits. In 2006, a Second Life griefer group formed called Patriotic Nigras, their name inspired by the raids. At the Anthrocon 2007, a small scale protest reportedly took place.
Controversy
In early 2008, a Texan named Mary Alice Altorfer came across a "Pool's Closed" sign in her neighborhood and called the local news station with a claim that it was promoting racial discrimination. Altorfer's encounter with an internet meme in real life was soon turned into a news story and after the broadcast, a video clip of the report was uploaded onto YouTube. In the following days, members of Anonymous allegedly launched a harassment campaign against the woman.


Search Interest
External References
[1] Encyclopedia – Pool's Closed
[3] Pool's Closed – Pool's Closed
[4] Lurkmore – Pool's Closed
[5] Urban Dictionary – Pool's Closed
[6] Oh Internet via Internet Archive Wayback Machine – Pool's Closed
[7] BuzzFeed – Pool's Closed [PIC]
[8] Twitter – JustinWhang
[10] Wayback Machine – Computer Distributors, Inc
[11] Internet Archive – Task Force Clip Art Really Big Edition
All Videos 13 total
All Images 166 total
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Related Entries 29 total
All Images 166 total
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All Videos 13 total
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Comments ( 96 )
I bet this was inspired by the video Fatboy Slim – Rockafeller Skank (at 1:05)
I bet this was inspired by the video Fatboy Slim – Rockafeller Skank (at 1:05)
This glorious holiday is now old enough to vote.
This glorious holiday is now old enough to vote.
Once again, the pools are open, and the hotel sits at the very center of cosmic unrest. 4channers rally to their meme idols, and great keks sound in anticipation of the coming shitposting. Far below, aids-laden stingrays pulse to the unrelenting rhythm, of a 4chan call to action.
Once again, the pools are open, and the hotel sits at the very center of cosmic unrest. 4channers rally to their meme idols, and great keks sound in anticipation of the coming shitposting. Far below, aids-laden stingrays pulse to the unrelenting rhythm, of a 4chan call to action.
You sir win an internet.
You sir win an internet.
Habbo Hotel is being revived, how much does anyone seeing this wanna bet they'll do it again?
Habbo Hotel is being revived, how much does anyone seeing this wanna bet they'll do it again?
I can't wait
I can't wait
What a terrible revisionist article, literally nobody was raiding Habbo because of racist moderators, they did it because it was funny.
What a terrible revisionist article, literally nobody was raiding Habbo because of racist moderators, they did it because it was funny.
2020: A new challenger has entered the pool.
2020: A new challenger has entered the pool.
had to make account just comment on this Lol i never realized how big this thing would become as one of the first batch of users to start blocking the pools i gotta tell you 99% of us didn't do this to fight racism we did for shits and giggles and to be trolls…. i find it quite funny how our "raid" became some SJW thing we were all teens at the time just fucking around with our friends Lmao
had to make account just comment on this Lol i never realized how big this thing would become as one of the first batch of users to start blocking the pools i gotta tell you 99% of us didn't do this to fight racism we did for shits and giggles and to be trolls…. i find it quite funny how our "raid" became some SJW thing we were all teens at the time just fucking around with our friends Lmao
SJW's always know how to screw with everything. They're like dogmatists, but worse.
SJW's always know how to screw with everything. They're like dogmatists, but worse.
Am I the only one who thinks Habbo banning anyone who has a black skin with an afro and tuxedo is harsh? They might not be raiding.
Am I the only one who thinks Habbo banning anyone who has a black skin with an afro and tuxedo is harsh? They might not be raiding.
More proof that the staff is racist :^)
More proof that the staff is racist :^)
I'm amazed that they haven't taken steps to get rid of racist moderators… not that it would help at this point.
I'm amazed that they haven't taken steps to get rid of racist moderators… not that it would help at this point.
I remember "participating" in one of the early raids (a friend of mine was on 4chan and started asking his friends about doing the raids). All I recall is he made a euphemism towards a mod about said mod being a pedophile and then we all got banned for association.
I remember "participating" in one of the early raids (a friend of mine was on 4chan and started asking his friends about doing the raids). All I recall is he made a euphemism towards a mod about said mod being a pedophile and then we all got banned for association.
Ah, yes, back when 4chan's trolling and raids were actually good. Thanks for reminding us.
Ah, yes, back when 4chan's trolling and raids were actually good. Thanks for reminding us.
I remeber when 4chan was actually good
I remeber when 4chan was actually good
4chan was never good
4chan was never good
She was not laughing.
She was not laughing.
She was not laughing.
She was not laughing.
this was the ugandan knuckles before ugandan knuckles
this was the ugandan knuckles before ugandan knuckles
This was Ugandan Knuckles, but funny.
This was Ugandan Knuckles, but funny.
Can someone revamp the article since they're planning two raids this year. The anniversary of the first raid and the December 1st raid.
Can someone revamp the article since they're planning two raids this year. The anniversary of the first raid and the December 1st raid.
Wait, so the first one is July 12th? I wanna join this year
Wait, so the first one is July 12th? I wanna join this year
From Pyrocynical's video
Club Penguin's closed.
From Pyrocynical's video
Club Penguin's closed.
What brought this back to the trending bar? Not that I'm complaining, mind you.
What brought this back to the trending bar? Not that I'm complaining, mind you.
Forgot to mention: in 2016, there was a 10 year anniversary raid. Maybe you should add something about that.
Forgot to mention: in 2016, there was a 10 year anniversary raid. Maybe you should add something about that.
MEME MAGIC
MEME MAGIC
All Your Pools Are Belong To Us since 07!
All Your Pools Are Belong To Us since 07!
This meme needs a revival because of all the race issues in today's modern society.
This meme needs a revival because of all the race issues in today's modern society.
Good job exploiting racism, Anonymous.
Good job exploiting racism, Anonymous.
my roblox character looks like him

coincidence?
I THINK NOT
my roblox character looks like him

coincidence?
I THINK NOT
There is an article in italian about pool's closed on http://labottegadelmistero.altervista.org/pools-closed-la-piscina-e-chiusa-aids/
There is an article in italian about pool's closed on http://labottegadelmistero.altervista.org/pools-closed-la-piscina-e-chiusa-aids/
+1 remember.
Was hilarious when I first of it and it is STILL hilarious.
+1 remember.
Was hilarious when I first of it and it is STILL hilarious.
Greatest 4chan raid EVER!
Greatest 4chan raid EVER!
Habbo just got raided today. (14/10/13)
Habbo just got raided today. (14/10/13)
July 12th, 10PM est. That's 2 days from now.
https://www.habbo.com
Let's go!
July 12th, 10PM est. That's 2 days from now.
https://www.habbo.com
Let's go!
In 2006 I was going to make an internet archive of the pool's closed meme but never did. Still, I have tons of pictures (hundreds) if anyone wants any. I saved almost everything from this meme when it was happening so just putting that out there…PS POOL'S CLOSED.
In 2006 I was going to make an internet archive of the pool's closed meme but never did. Still, I have tons of pictures (hundreds) if anyone wants any. I saved almost everything from this meme when it was happening so just putting that out there…PS POOL'S CLOSED.
I would LOVE it if you PM me some pics.
I would LOVE it if you PM me some pics.
I love how incredibly stupid that woman was.
She associated an anti-discrimination poster with racial discrimination.
One trip to Google with keywords 'Pool's closed', but no. She had to blow it up.
I love how incredibly stupid that woman was.
She associated an anti-discrimination poster with racial discrimination.
One trip to Google with keywords 'Pool's closed', but no. She had to blow it up.
Damn. I wish I was around to see this. I would have joined.
Damn. I wish I was around to see this. I would have joined.
I actually think I witnessed this.
I actually think I witnessed this.
Fuck Habbo
Fuck Habbo
Holy crap… that shit is just awesome.
Holy crap… that shit is just awesome.
What the fuck? The part about anon raiding because Habbo was banning black users is total bullshit ! The black afro was just a way to identify each other, 4chan is one of the most racist places on the internet. Do some research KYM
What the fuck? The part about anon raiding because Habbo was banning black users is total bullshit ! The black afro was just a way to identify each other, 4chan is one of the most racist places on the internet. Do some research KYM
I feel like this is a great example of a meme which had a great concept (combating racial discrimination on a website) devolving and losing its meaning (the swagstika and the amount of people dressing up like a racial caricature. I mean, take a look at this, several cosplayers don Blackface).
Basically, ignorant morons ruin everything.
I feel like this is a great example of a meme which had a great concept (combating racial discrimination on a website) devolving and losing its meaning (the swagstika and the amount of people dressing up like a racial caricature. I mean, take a look at this, several cosplayers don Blackface).
Basically, ignorant morons ruin everything.
Why do you take so long to confirm the most widespread, oldest, and well known memes but are so quick to confirm shitty advice dog spin-offs?
Why do you take so long to confirm the most widespread, oldest, and well known memes but are so quick to confirm shitty advice dog spin-offs?
@Clownboss:
Yeah, let Channel 4 close the pool….forever!
@Clownboss:
Yeah, let Channel 4 close the pool….forever!
Any plans for this year's raid?
Any plans for this year's raid?
If people seriously take that as rascism then their minds are already screwed over for being rascist themselves. Stupid attention whore =/
If people seriously take that as rascism then their minds are already screwed over for being rascist themselves. Stupid attention whore =/
maybe not black skinned people with black Afro's filling the pool…
but I remember when it got that full you couldn't join the pool area
maybe not black skinned people with black Afro's filling the pool…
but I remember when it got that full you couldn't join the pool area
April fools is getting out of hand…
April fools is getting out of hand…
SO GLaD to know that i helped with this this was the shit back in 06 good cause too! nevar forget
SO GLaD to know that i helped with this this was the shit back in 06 good cause too! nevar forget
See, part of me thinks that she's just blowing it up on purpose, and she's not looking at all of the evidence you can easily find ALL OVER THE INTERNET.
See, part of me thinks that she's just blowing it up on purpose, and she's not looking at all of the evidence you can easily find ALL OVER THE INTERNET.
See, this is why we need KnowYourMeme. To explain this stuff to law enforcement so people don't get arrested for dumb crap and use taxpayer money during their jail time. Come on!
See, this is why we need KnowYourMeme. To explain this stuff to law enforcement so people don't get arrested for dumb crap and use taxpayer money during their jail time. Come on!
Man, when it comes to stuff like this (ex. Pedobear in Oklahoma incident) … I just wish people would do their research… especially people who enforce the law. Maybe it's better they didn't though. Otherwise, they find out the truth, which happens to be much darker than than any lie. sigh
Man, when it comes to stuff like this (ex. Pedobear in Oklahoma incident) … I just wish people would do their research… especially people who enforce the law. Maybe it's better they didn't though. Otherwise, they find out the truth, which happens to be much darker than than any lie. sigh
+1 deadpool's closed
Just kidding, :P
+1 deadpool's closed
Just kidding, :P
Wow. Been years since I looked at this meme only to find the news stories associated with it. Great trolling job. :3
Wow. Been years since I looked at this meme only to find the news stories associated with it. Great trolling job. :3
:D HA that's hilarious! I can't beleive I never heard of this besides the rules of the internet :) Awesome stuff
:D HA that's hilarious! I can't beleive I never heard of this besides the rules of the internet :) Awesome stuff
I lol'd hard at the videos…. people are so ridiculously sensitive and quick to assume someones racist.
@Tacticallinkage That's amazing bro, tell us more.
I lol'd hard at the videos…. people are so ridiculously sensitive and quick to assume someones racist.
@Tacticallinkage That's amazing bro, tell us more.
I know who put the sign in New Braunfels…
I know who put the sign in New Braunfels…
I can't stand people who get offended for the most trivial shit.
I can't stand people who get offended for the most trivial shit.
Where's the "that's racist" boy when you need him?
Where's the "that's racist" boy when you need him?
wow hidden meme
wow hidden meme
@The KENS 5 news story.
I have lived close to New Braunfels my entire life and my neighbors happen to work on KENS 5 news. Anyway, the woman shouldn’t have fretted at all because New Braunfels is a water park town. Its biggest draw is the Comal River and Schlitterbahn water park, so even if you couldn’t get into a pool due to racism there are still dozens of options left for swimming.
Silly silly uninformed news story :P
@The KENS 5 news story.
I have lived close to New Braunfels my entire life and my neighbors happen to work on KENS 5 news. Anyway, the woman shouldn’t have fretted at all because New Braunfels is a water park town. Its biggest draw is the Comal River and Schlitterbahn water park, so even if you couldn’t get into a pool due to racism there are still dozens of options left for swimming.
Silly silly uninformed news story :P
This shit is hilarious. That old lady in the video is 1 part indignant, 10 parts clueless. And that Demoman video is awesome. Seriously though, the pool is closed.
This shit is hilarious. That old lady in the video is 1 part indignant, 10 parts clueless. And that Demoman video is awesome. Seriously though, the pool is closed.
Got to love that paranoid grandmother who think this was a personal attack on her grandchildren for some extremely odd reason.
Got to love that paranoid grandmother who think this was a personal attack on her grandchildren for some extremely odd reason.
6 years? D:
It felt like a month…
6 years? D:
It felt like a month…
6 years?! Holy sheet.
6 years?! Holy sheet.
That grandma is sucha attention whore and i liked how she added homophobic for no reason
That grandma is sucha attention whore and i liked how she added homophobic for no reason
related sites/further info
http://www.poolsclosed.us/
http://www.nigrapedia.com/
http://www.nigrachan.org/
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Nigra
related sites/further info
http://www.poolsclosed.us/
http://www.nigrapedia.com/
http://www.nigrachan.org/
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/Nigra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbXAeJg4VIs&feature=related
Anonymous put up all her info on this video. xD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbXAeJg4VIs&feature=related
Anonymous put up all her info on this video. xD
That grandmother needs to calm down a bit and actually listen to people and trust them. It's hard, I know, but still.
That grandmother needs to calm down a bit and actually listen to people and trust them. It's hard, I know, but still.
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/The_Great_Habbo_Raid_of_July_2010
http://encyclopediadramatica.com/The_Great_Habbo_Raid_of_July_2010
Haha, I love those news stories about the grandmother. The meme was around long before, and she thinks it's about her! I see how it can be interpreted as racism, but I think that was a good joke for those who don't interpret it as such. XD
Haha, I love those news stories about the grandmother. The meme was around long before, and she thinks it's about her! I see how it can be interpreted as racism, but I think that was a good joke for those who don't interpret it as such. XD
There were loads of people doing this today at the pool for about 5 minutes, I made an account, went to the pool and it was hilarious for 5 minutes…. those mods just ban you for being black!
There were loads of people doing this today at the pool for about 5 minutes, I made an account, went to the pool and it was hilarious for 5 minutes…. those mods just ban you for being black!
You can do this on CP. You just need a tux and an afro wig. Go to a pool and say pool's closed LOL
You can do this on CP. You just need a tux and an afro wig. Go to a pool and say pool's closed LOL
The picture is of Steve Pool, the Seattle based news channel KOMO4's weather man: http://media.komonews.com/images/steve_pool.jpg
The picture is of Steve Pool, the Seattle based news channel KOMO4's weather man: http://media.komonews.com/images/steve_pool.jpg
How do i keep my suit on in the pool area
How do i keep my suit on in the pool area
Pool's closed 2010?
I'll be there.
Pool's closed 2010?
I'll be there.
A little real world pool's closed fail from yours truly, Faux News:
A little real world pool's closed fail from yours truly, Faux News:
Lol to both videos.
Lol to both videos.
Anyone see this POOL'S CLOSED movie?
Anyone see this POOL'S CLOSED movie?
Lol at that video.
Lol at that video.
You might want to include the news story where KSAT 12 covered a prank done by someone, and completely misses the joke, turning it into serious business.
You might want to include the news story where KSAT 12 covered a prank done by someone, and completely misses the joke, turning it into serious business.
accidently tripleposted a picture, please delete 2, don't care which.
accidently tripleposted a picture, please delete 2, don't care which.
I accidently bacame part of one. I was gonna go on by my self and it turns out a raid was already going. So, I just stood in the way and warned people of the pool. Best part is, I even looked like an anon.
I accidently bacame part of one. I was gonna go on by my self and it turns out a raid was already going. So, I just stood in the way and warned people of the pool. Best part is, I even looked like an anon.
In all honesty, I've been hacking on habbo for over a year and even tho habbo is a waste of life and the habbo staff have lost their minds, I still play it. And as a habbo addict, I can tell you that the screen shot of the raid is a habbo retro, as in not the actual Habbo Hotel. I've never actually been a part of, or witnessed one of these raids so I wish someone had a REAL screen shot.
In all honesty, I've been hacking on habbo for over a year and even tho habbo is a waste of life and the habbo staff have lost their minds, I still play it. And as a habbo addict, I can tell you that the screen shot of the raid is a habbo retro, as in not the actual Habbo Hotel. I've never actually been a part of, or witnessed one of these raids so I wish someone had a REAL screen shot.
Who's the afro guy in the picture with his arms crossed? As in, anyone have any idea where the image came from?
Who's the afro guy in the picture with his arms crossed? As in, anyone have any idea where the image came from?
PSE, get out of pool. and the intenets (including roblox) is /b/'s. the next raid: reaility
PSE, get out of pool. and the intenets (including roblox) is /b/'s. the next raid: reaility
If you watch the far-too-long AnthroCon video posted on the Furries meme page, two afro-blockers (white guys, actually) show up (maybe 1/4 of the way into the video) across the street from the convention center with a POOL'S CLOSED sign. This action is incorrectly interpreted (perhaps intentionally) as an anti-black protest. It's actually an anti-furry protest, as their other sign reads YIFF IN HELL.
If you watch the far-too-long AnthroCon video posted on the Furries meme page, two afro-blockers (white guys, actually) show up (maybe 1/4 of the way into the video) across the street from the convention center with a POOL'S CLOSED sign. This action is incorrectly interpreted (perhaps intentionally) as an anti-black protest. It's actually an anti-furry protest, as their other sign reads YIFF IN HELL.
I do wonder what happened to those afro blockers. As far as I know, they haven't blocked for a while.
I do wonder what happened to those afro blockers. As far as I know, they haven't blocked for a while.
meme's closed
meme's closed
COLUMBIANSS ARE C00L
COLUMBIANSS ARE C00L
Nice one on the info Dave. We need some pics, too
Nice one on the info Dave. We need some pics, too
This is a DEFINITE meme.
However, the history needs to be explained a little better. The Pool's Closed Afro guy started because many of Habbo's moderators were racist and needlessly banned black characters. Therefore, 4chan decided that a raid of black avatars in suits and ties that would block access to popular areas within the game would be adequate punishment.
This is a DEFINITE meme.
However, the history needs to be explained a little better. The Pool's Closed Afro guy started because many of Habbo's moderators were racist and needlessly banned black characters. Therefore, 4chan decided that a raid of black avatars in suits and ties that would block access to popular areas within the game would be adequate punishment.