Anonymous' 'Million Mask March' goes global
With 450 cities on the roster, the hacking collective takes its online protests to the streets.
Hundreds of protests around the world sparked up on Tuesday in what the hacking collective Anonymous called the "Million Mask March." Donning Guy Fawkes masks, the demonstrators' goal was to "defend humanity."
The protests were scheduled for 450 cities and towns worldwide -- from Tampa, Fla., to Amsterdam to Mumbai. According to the group's Facebook page, the demonstrations were meant to help people "remember who your enemies are: billionaires who own banks and corporations who corrupt politicians who enslave the people in injustice."
In Washington, D.C., demonstrators chanted "Obama. Come out. We've got some **** to talk about," according to NBC News. In Chicago, police and protesters exchanged hugs. While in Denver, a handful of arrests were made after it was reported that a building was being vandalized, according to the Denver Post.
In promoting the march, Anonymous said that violence would not be tolerated. The group even published an "advance disclaimer" saying, "Anonymous is a peaceful movement and is not affiliated with the rogue DC Citizen's Action to take the United States President, Congress, and US Supreme Court Justices Hostage."
Despite a few arrests here and there, it appears the protests have stayed relatively peaceful.
Anonymous is typically known for waging its protests in the online world via hacks, data leaks, and denial-of-service attacks. But increasingly, people claiming to be part of the collective or who have beliefs in line with those of the group are popping up at street protests. Demonstrators with Guy Fawkes masks are commonly seen at protests against the NSA surveillance program and in Occupy actions.
