Hacktivist group Anonymous threatens to target all government facilities across the globe on November 5 2013, calling activists to mark the day with protests in support of the Occupy movement.
“Now it’s time to occupy everywhere” says the video named “Anonymous #NOV5TH 2013 – the lion sleeps no more” posted on Youtube. It calls for “a day of global civil disobedience” to mark Guy Fawkes Day in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement. The video urges to ‘relight the flame of protest’ and claims that unions from around the world are supporting actions of Anonymous and the Occupy movement, adding ‘austerity means war.’
November 5 commemorates Guy Fawkes’ failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.
Last year’s protest on November 5 launched by Anonymous gathered hundreds of supporters in London’s Trafalgar Square, according to RT’s London Bureau, for Operation Vendetta – a march to the Houses of Parliament.
People were carrying banners that read “We are Anonymous. We are the legion” and “Stop creating imaginary debt!”
A rash of cyber-attacks were reported the same day on Australian government sites and Argentina’s government bank. Anonymous also claimed to have stolen some 28,000 passwords and other confidential information from US based company Paypal, however the company disputed the hack. Another cyber-attack was reportedly launched against the website of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to draw attention “to election manipulation in the Ukraine.”
Hackers also reportedly targeted US company Trapwire and European analogue INDECT, which develop software that can access closed-circuit cameras to monitor citizens’ movements. On November 6 an Anonymous affiliated group identified as “pyknic” hacked several sites for the US TV network NBC , however the sites were quickly restored.
Anonymous hactivists have long supported the Occupy movement and used web technologies and social media, like Facebook and Twitter, to accelerate the rhythm of protests. The social network users apply hashtags such as #OccupyWallSt, #OWS or #Occupy which help to coordinate the demonstrations.
The Anonymous supporters, and Occupy Wall Street protesters wear stylized Guy Fawkes masks – featured prominently in ‘V for Vendetta’ comic series and film – which were adopted as a universal symbol against tyranny. The masks have also been used during the mass protests in the Arab countries, and have been banned by some states, such as Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The Occupy movement began two years ago as a campaign against large corporations and the global financial system that control the world in a way that disproportionately benefits the minority and undermines democracy. The Occupy slogan ‘we are the 99%’ refers to the concentration of wealth among the 1% of income earners compared to the majority.
The first Occupy protest was the Occupy Wall Street in New York City’s Zuccotti Park, which began on 17 September 2011, similar actions have taken place all over the world.