Anonymous Says #OpKKK ‘Just Beginning’

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

Hacktivist movement Anonymous issued a statement condemning the Ku Klux Klan as a “terrorist” organization Monday – via an alleged Klansman’s own Twitter account.

“The blood of thousands of human beings (is) on the hands of Klansmen,” Anonymous said. The statement appeared in a tweet from Twitter user KuKluxKlanUSA, which was hacked by Anonymous on Sunday.

The account was just one of several alleged KKK-affiliated social media handles and websites seized by hacktivists, in what has been dubbed “#OpKKK.”

Anonymous around the world are Ddos’ing (KKK) servers seen here on this digital attack map. @OpFerguson #OpKKK pic.twitter.com/trkNN5vk73

— East Coast Anonymous (@EastCoastAnony) November 17, 2014

Hacktivists have also begun releasing personal details of individuals they claim are KKK members. The online campaign against the KKK was launched by Anonymous in response to threats from Klansmen against protesters in Ferguson, Missouri. The KKK’s Missouri chapter has been accused of distributing flyers warning protesters they had “awakened a sleeping giant.” In the flyers, the KKK appeared to threaten protesters with “lethal force.” “You have been warned by the Ku Klux Klan!,” the pamphlet stated.

Anonymous declares cyberwar on the KKK for threatening Ferguson protesters with physical violence. Operation KKK: #OpKKK — Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) November 15, 2014

Anonymous responded by publishing a video on Youtube stating it would begin “cyber warfare” against the KKK.

“Anything you upload will be taken down, anything you use to promote the KKK will be shut down,” the video stated.

Shortly before Anonymous begun crippling KKK websites with denial of service attacks, KuKluxKlanUSA tweeted comments seemingly taunting hacktivists.

“We are continuing to read Anonymous threats with much amusement. Still no action taken,” KuKluxKlanUSA stated late on Sunday.

We are continuing to read Anonymous threats with much amusement. Still no action taken. #Cowards #HoodsON

— Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA) November 16, 2014

The next tweet from the user simply read, “you should have expected us,” and included the image of a Klansman dangling from a noose.

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

While some social media users welcomed #OpKKK, in the wake of Anonymous’ apparent seizure of KuKluxKlanUSA, some Twitter users accused the hacktivists of violating the movement’s basic tenant – free speech.

It’s a privilege to be able to help people everyday & it motivates us to strive further in promoting freedom. #OpKKK pic.twitter.com/3Co1JjOC0W

— Anonymous Australia (@GroupAnonAU) November 15, 2014

.@KuKluxKlanUSA Hi! I, and many Anons, think #OpKKK is BS and not inline w the tenets of Anonymous at all. — Samurai_Lucy (@Samurai_Lucy) November 16, 2014

In the statement issued Monday, hacktivists responded to critics by arguing the “KKK no longer has the right to express their racist, bigoted opinions.”

The hacktivists also stated they are continuing to gather information on suspected KKK members for public release, but will eventually delete KuKluxKlanUSA.

“What was accomplished on 16 (November) 2014 is just the beginning of #OpKKK. Anonymous still has plenty more work to do.” “Once the operation is considered a complete success, we will remove the account from Twitter,” they stated.

Until then, the hacktivists have started using KuKluxKlanUSA to distribute pictures of unicorns.