While Anonymous deals the KKK digital blows
A grand jury in St. Louis County, MO, has been hearing testimony for months regarding the August 9 shooting death of Michael Brown, 18, by Officer Darren Wilson of the Ferguson police force. [icopyright one button toolbar]
A shooting that took place in less than 90 seconds.
As the clock ticks closer to a grand jury decision, the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) have become more visible, with flyers and TV appearances.
Mediate has a photo of one flyer that the KKK has been distributing:
On Veterans Day, the KKK called for “lethal force” against “violent” protestors, according to the RiverFrontTimes. That flyer said, in part:
The good people of St. Louis County of all races, colors and creeds will not tolerate your threats of violence against our police officers, their families and our communities.
You have been warned by the Ku Klux Klan! There will be consequences for your acts violence against the peaceful law abiding citizens of Missouri.
Anonymous does what they do best
In response, Anonymous has launched cyberattacks, taking over the KKK USA Twitter account on Sunday:
Anonymous declares cyberwar on the KKK for threatening Ferguson protesters with physical violence. Operation KKK: #OpKKK
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) November 15, 2014
Anonymous is also systematically “outing” alleged Klan members using the hashtag #OpKKK, including allegations of Missouri cops being Klan members.
Klan talk amongst TAK 'kinsmen'
Oh you're invisible, aye mate?
#opKKK #hoodsoff pic.twitter.com/FTRE5g7q7t
— West Florissant Ave. (@ThatsRacistAF) November 15, 2014
The Southern Poverty Law Center actively monitors hate groups like the KKK.
SPLC wants police response to #Ferguson KKK flier — says threat of using 'lethal force' is nothing but vigilantism and has no place in U.S.
— Danny Wicentowski (@D_Towski) November 13, 2014
Southern Poverty Law Center calls KKK #Ferguson Flier "Sickening but not surprising" http://t.co/vebdmfOGdK. @RiverfrontTimes
— Danny Wicentowski (@D_Towski) November 13, 2014
Lest you give credence to claims that the modern Klan is different, this image was screencaptured from the Missouri group’s website which is down; CloudFlare is serving cached files.
TANGO DOWN – http://t.co/5GYg8JrUiC #OpKKK #HoodsOff
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) November 17, 2014
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
Local KKK leader boasts
Frank Ancona, the imperial wizard, says that “he has inducted 50 new members to the group’s Missouri chapter this month, and numbers are up in Ohio and Alabama as well.”
He’s also gone on national TV, telling MSNBC’s Chris Hayes that he was concerned about “random attacks on whites” and “sniper-type shootings.”
A short history lesson
After the 2012 election, we got a picture of where overt racism lives on Twitter, due to geocoded tweets. Although Alabama and Mississippi had the most tweets (“location density”), Missouri was in tier two.
I fully concur with this:
The fact that in 2014 there is still a KKK in America goes a long way to explain some of our problems. Most embarrassing for humanity #OpKKK
— Voices Outside (@VoicesOutside) November 17, 2014
H/T: @feldmaniac and @D_Towski
KKK Ferguson Flier via RiverFrontTimes
Known for gnawing at complex questions like a terrier with a bone. Digital evangelist, writer, teacher. Transplanted Southerner; teach newbies to ride motorcycles. @kegill (Twitter and Mastodon.social); wiredpen.com