Anonymous claims it has identified members of the Ku Klux Klan at a support group rally for police officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed a black teen in Ferguson, Missouri. Following the expose, the support group removed the photograph from Facebook.
The latest move in its cyber battle against the Ku Klux Klan, the hacktivist group Anonymous claimed to identify three members of the Klan at a recent rally in support of Wilson. A grand jury is currently deliberating whether to hand down an indictment of Wilson in the shooting death of unarmed African American teenager Michael Brown, who was killed on August 9. That decision is expected any day.
This photo showing 3 Klansman at the #DarrenWilson rally has been removed from their FaceBook page #HoodsOff#OpKKKpic.twitter.com/oSa4T5tPx2
— Anon Cop Watch (@AnonCopWatch) November 17, 2014
The Anonymous cyber conflict started during the weekend, when the group seized two of the KKK’s twitter accounts after the white supremacist group issued flyers threatening the use of “lethal force” should violence erupt following the grand jury decision.
For those just tuning in: The KKK has threated #Ferguson protesters with deadly force. So we launched #HoodsOffpic.twitter.com/wYDkjj0OKG
— Anon Cop Watch (@AnonCopWatch) November 16, 2014
Another group, dubbed “Now” – which is part of Anon Cop Watch – started an exposure campaign when they thought they had identified unmasked members of the KKK at a Wilson support rally, and circulated photographs with the “unhooded” Klan members. One of them appears to be Frank Ancona, Imperial Wizard of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in Missouri, and the man behind the recent fliers.
13 members of the St. Louis Klan without their faces covered. Is your neighbor or co-worker pictured? #HoodsOffpic.twitter.com/KTkGSheLgL
— Anon Cop Watch (@AnonCopWatch) November 17, 2014
READ MORE:Anonymous: Campaign against ‘terrorist group’ KKK will continue
RT reported earlier that Anonymous published a statement by way of the affected Twitter account, @KuKluxKlanUSA, explaining the status of the headline-grabbing operation launched over the weekend on November 16.
“Before going any further, we’d like to address our idea of freedom. After exposing Klan members and seizing the Klan’s websites and Twitter accounts, Anonymous members faced much criticism regarding freedom,” the message reads in part. “Anonymous stands for freedom, so why would we strip someone of his or her freedom of speech? The Ku Klux Klan is a terrorist group. The blood of thousands of human beings are on the hands of Klansmen. In most of Anonymous’ member’s eyes, the KKK no longer has the right to express their racist, bigoted opinions.”
READ MORE:#OpKKK: Anonymous hacks KKK websites, Twitter over Ferguson threats
The situation between Anonymous and the KKK is just one of conflicts unfolding in Missouri ahead of the grand jury decision. Governor Jay Nixon declared a State of Emergency and activated the National Guard on Monday, a move seen by many as confirmation that a decision from the Grand Jury is imminent. Prosecutor Bob McCulloch has always maintained that a verdict would be reached by mid to late November.
READ MORE:KKK rebrand: Blacks, Hispanics, gays & Jews now welcomed by Ku Klux Klan
KKK showed up on #Ferguson to support police. And are now raising money for the "hero" who shot the unarmed teen. pic.twitter.com/nbuXaRO5gY
— DYNASTY. (@SixxInchWalker_) August 20, 2014
Leaked reports by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggest the officer will not be indicted, and have only heightened the likelihood of violent reprisals.