Anonymous Takes Action Following Passage Of CISPA Bill By House

Following last week's passage of the controversial CISPA cybersecurity bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, the hacktivist group Anonymous is calling for protests and threatening to attack multiple organizations.

In a video titled "Operation Defense. Phase II," Anonymous calls on Americans to organize protests at the local offices of companies that supported the legislation.

"To the citizens of the United States of America: We are Anonymous," a synthesized voice announces. "This is a special emergency message regarding the status of the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. CISPA has passed the legislature. We are calling upon the citizens of the United States to physically protest. This includes all the Occupy movement. Our rights are being taken away."

The video then goes on to provide exact details of the time, place, and nature of the protests. The first company to be targeted is AT&T, whose local offices will be picketed between May 1 and May 5. Similar protests will follow near the offices of IBM, Intel, Microsoft, and Verizon Wireless. Anonymous also invites CISPA opponents to boycott Pepsi and Coca Cola products between June 11 and June 14.

The video also reminds Americans to wear a Guy Fawkes mask at the protests and to seek support from the local Occupy movement. In addition, people are advised to stage the rallies "across the street from the headquarters or buildings so as to not get evicted or arrested."

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