Anonymous hackers have reportedly taken over two Twitter accounts belonging to the Ku Klux Klan after members of a Missouri-based KKK chapter threatened to use "lethal force" in Ferguson, Mo., in order to defend the community from "terrorists masquerading as 'peaceful protesters'" ahead of Michael Brown's grand jury decision.
The fliers distributed by the Traditionalist American Knights of the KKK last week went on to warn violent protesters and demonstrators that by threatening the lives of law enforcement, the community and their families, they have "awakened a sleeping giant," Riverfront Times reported.
"You have been warned by the Klu Klux Klan!" the flier reads. "There will be consequences for your actions against the peaceful, law abiding citizens of Missouri."
As part of the hacker-activist entity's new campaign, #OpKKK, the accounts, @KuKluxKlanUSA and @YourKKKCentral, are currently being used to publish KKK members' names and the areas they live in, according to Breitbart.
"Under anon control as of 16 NOV 2014 09:11:47. You should've expected us," the account's description now reads.
Separately, the website belonging to Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, listed as an active hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, was also confirmed to have been hacked and knocked offline around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, ZDNet has received an unconfirmed statement that Anonymous has compromised KKK member email accounts, and is also conducting a phone harassment campaign on KKK members.
On Friday, the hacker group began publicly revealing identities and personal information of KKK members in the Ferguson/St. Louis area.
Soon after the accounts were taken over, the #OpKKK hashtag started trending, with most of the support leaning toward the hackers.
Through the hacked account, Anonymous tweeted that it will release a Monday evening statement about the takeover.
Anonymous Australia also released a video on Friday announcing a campaign of cyber war against the racist organization, which was later removed.
However, the KKK had reportedly stated that they were unaffected by the threats from Anonymous before the accounts were hacked.
"We are continuing to read Anonymous threats with much amusement. Still no action taken. #Cowards #HoodsONâ€Â" Ku Klux Klan (@KuKluxKlanUSA)," a KKK account tweeted on Sunday.
With a grand jury expected to announce this month whether or not to indict Darren Wilson, the Ferguson, Mo., police officer who fatally shot unarmed teenager Michael Brown, the community of Ferguson has already started planning for any possible unrest that might occur once the decision is publicly made, Huffington Post reported.
Meanwhile, St. Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson also issued a message to the public last week on his website.
"The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office confirmed that a grand jury continues to hear evidence and that they expect a decision on charges for Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson soon. Although I can't predict the outcome of the process or what may occur as a result of the decision, as the City's Chief of Police, I can reassure you of the Metropolitan Police Department's commitment to your safety and your rights. No matter what the announcement is, the department's first priority is to protect and serve our citizens...and that includes protesters. And we are ready to do so."
