Anonymous has been carrying out ‘doxing’ attacks on the KKK in Ferguson since the KKK’s warning that they intended to use lethal force on protesters — but Sunday afternoon, the hacktivist group went a step farther, hacking the Ku Klux Klan’s Twitter account to post a photo of a Klansman being lynched.
The Ku Klux Klan USA account was tweeting about Anonymous, bragging that Anon was all talk, and that ‘low-lives behind a screen’ couldn’t bring down the organization known for its white supremacist stances and actions. However, the talk quickly turned when Anon successfully hacked into the account, leaving behind a nasty surprise. (Disturbing image warning: the image is of an apparent KKK member hanging from a noose, and could be upsetting to some viewers.)
Anonymous is nothing but a bunch of wannabes. They won’t take any action. We will not be brought down by some low-lives behind a screen.
— Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA) November 16, 2014
We are continuing to read Anonymous threats with much amusement. Still no action taken. #Cowards #HoodsON
— Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA) November 16, 2014
16 NOV 2014 09:11:47 You should’ve expected us. #OpKKK continues to be a success. Freedom will prevail. pic.twitter.com/FUrNzBpVOa
— Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA) November 16, 2014
Anonymous has shown an interest in Ferguson from the beginning. Members have shown up in masks at protests, and Anonymous has released information (not always accurately) that was purportedly leaked or hacked from official records.
“ @MsStLou : Nov 5th @AnonCopWatch @YourAnonGlobal @AnonymousPress @STL_Anon #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/7ZWdvyiatK ”
— Anon Cop Watch (@AnonCopWatch) November 17, 2014
The attack on the Ku Klux Klan began when the KKK’s flier, warning protesters that the hooded group intended to use lethal force on protesters, circulated on Twitter. According to the Atlanta Black Star , the local KKK Grand Dragon, Frank Ancona, explained to reporters that he believed the KKK’s actions were making the situation better.
For those just tuning in: The KKK has threated #Ferguson protesters with deadly force. So we launched #HoodsOff pic.twitter.com/wYDkjj0OKG
— Anon Cop Watch (@AnonCopWatch) November 16, 2014
Anonymous began ‘doxing’ the Ku Klux Klan — outing members by name — with screenshots of social media profiles. Reports say that Anonymous even doxed ‘Ghoul Squad’ members — those who donate to the group, but don’t participate directly, either for fear of being unmasked, or because of other obligations.
As you can see above, the KKK responded with bravado, maintaining that Anon would take no real actions — until the Ku Klux Klan’s Twitter account produced the same lynched Klansman image that several Anonymous accounts had been posting earlier in the day. The KKK account has been silent since.
[photo credit: Cosmic Smudge ]
