Hacktivist group Anonymous UK has announced that it will stand up to the English Defence League (EDL), after protests against mosques following the murder of Lee Rigby.
As part of ‘Operation EDL’, the group has said that it will soon release the phone-numbers of EDL members, and has suggested this could be available from 9pm, tweeting ‘We are trying to get as many as possible’.
The group said of EDL: “You have capitalized on the misfortunes of our peoples, taking advantage of moments of fear, of terror, and of reconciliation, to spread hatred and animosity towards your fellow man.
“You have angered us considerably, and summoned our wrath irrevocably.”
So far, EDL has not responded on Twitter to any comments made by Anonymous.
The Twitter account set up for the operation has just over 200 followers so far.
And so.... #OpEDL begins.
— #OpEDL (@Operation_EDL) May 28, 2013
The full statement made by Anonymous said:
Good morning members, and leaders of the English Defense League.
We are Anonymous UK. We have been patiently observing your organisation, as you have inflated, indoctrinating our young with your criminal mindset.
You have capitalized on the misfortunes of our peoples, taking advantage of moments of fear, of terror, and of reconciliation, to spread hatred and animosity towards your fellow man.
Your constant belligerence, like a pack of raving ignoramuses, furthering only bigotry and segregation.
You have angered us considerably, and summoned our wrath irrevocably.
Last week, an innocent Drummer, Lee Rigby, lost his life at the hands of two vile and demented human beings in the most horrific, and heinous manner ever witnessed on the streets of Britain.
This villainous public display has thrown the United Kingdom into mourning; every community, and every congregation, extending their deepest condolences.
You however, have used this as another excuse to further spread your campaign of hate, bigotry, and misinformation. Under the guise of national pride you have instigated crimes against the innocent and incited the subjugation of Muslims. We will not allow your injustices, your lies, and your stupidity, to further radicalize our youth into fearing and despising their fellow man.
Our people are desperate for hope, in a hopeless society where our own government neglects us, where society has fails us, it is only natural to seek a relatable change maker. This sort of desperation, this quest for feeling of worth, is what you have taken advantage of.
In this operation, we will begin the systematic and comprehensive dissemination of your cult. We will further expose your falsities and your attempts to censor, to your members, to the British public, and to the world as a whole. You will fall, we can say this with complete confidence. We are everywhere, you cannot hide, you cannot win We are the voices of all and the voice of one. It will not happen over night, but we WILL be victorious.
We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.
Expect us.
#OpEDL
@Operation_EDL