Anonymous Headquarters: Who Are We?

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Those of us here at Anonymous Headquarters have decided to address some common concerns. We keep up with the comments as often as possible, and we’re aware of not only the support received, but the stereotypes as well. As such, we have decided it is time to address our readers on a more personal level to set a few records straight.

For those who are new to the idea of Anonymous itself, we will quickly answer some frequently asked questions:

 

What is Anonymous?

Anonymous is a movement. It is not an organization as there are no leaders, associations, or an institute in the external environment. Anonymous is a following of people from around the world who identify with common goals.

 

Cultural Anon

 

How did Anonymous begin?

Anonymous began in 2003 as a small group of hacktivists. After Project Chanology—Anonymous’ feud with Scientology—a transformation began to occur, and what started out as internet vigilantism has since morphed into an extension of the American Civil Rights Movement.

 

How exactly does the Anonymous Movement relate to the Civil Rights Movement?

While there have been other American civil rights movements in the past, the current Civil Rights Movement—which many do not realize is still in effect—actually began in the 1950’s as the African-American Civil Rights Movement, focusing on racial inequality. By the 1960’s, The Beats, also known as Beatniks, started an outpouring of political activism, and young, rebellious whites began to find causes to fight for as well. It was the beginning of a new era, with new attitudes towards race, sexuality, and the ideas of freedom.

Once the realities of the Vietnam War began to sink into the populace, a call for peace also became a rallying cry, and it didn’t take long for others to step forward with additional political, economic, and environmental concerns.

Antiwar movement
Antiwar movement in response to Vietnam. credit to Kenneth Hoffman :
https://kennethhoffman.smugmug.com/Vietnam-War/Veterans-March-on-Washington-1/i-FHL2Q7q/A

Although we are now part of a new generation with new wars, we are still fighting for the same rights today that citizens were fighting for 50 years ago. These are also the common issues Anonymous tackles, making the Anonymous movement an extension of the Civil Rights movement by default.

Thanks to our current technology, communication between citizens of multiple nations is possible, and the struggles civilians face around the world have, in a sense, merged together as one, making the term “American Civil Rights Movement” invalid. We are all now a part of the Global Civil Rights Movement.

 

Binary code on a surface of a planet

 

 

So how does Anonymous work?

Being a movement of activists, Anonymous works much the same way as our parents and grandparents did; we protest, picket, attend rallies, and spread information. Today, however, we have the distinct advantage of technology and the internet, and many who associate themselves with the movement have learned to utilize this advantage, sometimes taking direct action in ways the previous generations could never have dreamed possible.

There are a vast number of citizens with numerous talents and abilities that aid the Anonymous movement, creating different “branches.” For example, you have the courageous Anons who might only attend protests (foot soldiers, if you will):

 

Anon Protesters
Anonymous demonstrators, 2013.

 

And the ingenious, computer-savvy Anons who conduct operations:

 

Anon Hck
An Anon in his office in Lyon, France. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Larderet.

 

There are Anons who take direct political action, creating petitions, organizing marches and blockades, or otherwise asserting their rights:

 

Anon RT
Photo courtesy of RT.

 

There are Anons in government:

 

anonymous-poland-politicians
Polish Politicians protesting the ACTA, 2012. Photo courtesy of Tejasghetia.

 

And there are also, you could say, “intelligence” branches of Anonymous, those who focus on researching, obtaining, and spreading information:

 

Intelligence

 

The Abilities of the Anonymous Movement are limited only by the talents, expertise, and initiative of those who contribute.

 

What branch does ‘Anonymous Headquarters’ fall under?

Anonymous Headquarters, or AnonHQ, is the headquarters for Anonymous news. Our main goal is to research, obtain, and spread information otherwise not available in the mainstream media which means we fall under intelligence. We also strive to support and bring awareness to the various individuals and organizations that are working to change the world in a positive manner.

 

Anon Jrnlst

 

A secondary goal of AnonHQ is to work with the people, connecting citizens of the world to the movement in the most direct way possible, which is why we created the AnonBoards. It is our hope that over time, more individuals from around the world will come together as one to take back our planet from those who will otherwise destroy it. It is only after we move beyond greed, poverty, and war that we will advance as a species.

 

ascension-2

 

Let’s tackle some stereotypes:

We’d like to share a common example of the typical stereotypes associated with AnonHQ, and then address these issues as best we can:

 

Comment 1
Recent Facebook comment.

 

Are we the real Anonymous?

Yes, we are, and anyone who’s truly familiar with the Anonymous Movement knows there are no experts on the matter capable of differentiating who is “fake” and who isn’t. Some of us here at AnonHQ are new to the movement, and some of us have been a part of it from the beginning. We have all taken direct action in one way or another, and we will continue to do so.

It seems a lot of people have made their own definitions of what it is to be “Anonymous” with most seemingly believing you must be a hacker. Well, that was circa 2005. We are now in 2015, and as mentioned before, that small group of North American hacktivists has since transformed into a global movement.

 

Million Mask March protesters in Trafalgar Square, London
Million Mask March, 2014. Photo courtesy of The Guardian.

 

Does this mean other Anonymous sites are fake?

Nope. As mentioned before, Anonymous is not an organization, it’s a movement (we can’t repeat that enough), and there are people all around the world who associate themselves with the movement and provide their own unique contributions. We acknowledge that there are, and will be, some bad-eggs along the way, but if you recognize yourself as part of the movement and you stand for basic truth and justice, you are by default Anonymous.

 

Is Anonymous Headquarters non-profit?

Yes we are, and unfortunately, this is the reason for the ads. We have no benefactors, and we are not making a profit. Mainstream news outlets, such as NBC or CNN, make profits by selling airtime for commercials. We do not (we don’t have a news or television station).

Anonymous is for the people, by the people—not a corporation—therefore, we rely on ads to stay afloat. While mainstream news sources rely on commercialism, others might rely on subscriptions to either part, or all, of their websites. In order to bring our readers their news for free, we must continue to rely on ads.

We understand the inconvenience, and have suggested in the past for our news followers to use AdBlock Plus, a completely free and safe add-on that blocks internet ads. Not only will this make your experience at Anonymous Headquarters more enjoyable, but you will find your entire internet experience to be altogether, much more pleasant.

 

Laughing Anon

 

Who are we?

The question as to who those of us at AnonHQ are appears to be a topic of controversy. While theories that we are undercover FBI or CIA agents are humorous to some, we take these concerns seriously, and understand the confusion considering we are not open with our identities—this is for good reason, however we will get to that in a moment.

The truth is, we are like all other Anons. Some of us are mothers and fathers, some of us are college students, and some are whistleblowers. Some of us work full-time menial jobs, some work undercover, others are self-employed, and there are some of us who might not work at all. We reside in various countries, and like everyone else, we live in houses, condos, apartments and flats, manufactured homes, and maybe even our cars. The one thing we all have in common is that we’re pissed-off with the current state of our nations and the world.

 

Anon Family Photo

 

Why don’t we take our masks off?

We have, in the past, outlined the reasons as to how and why the Guy Fawkes mask has become associated with the Anonymous movement, but we would like to clarify why it is some of us won’t “take our masks off,” so to speak:

Those of us who wear the mask do so for different reasons. For most, the mask represents awareness and defiance, and as such, it does not matter if your face and name are known. For others, the mask—whether physically worn or symbolically worn—serves as protection.

All of us who stand with the movement, whether we are protestors, hacktivists, journalists, etc., are putting ourselves at risk. We are stepping forward and putting ourselves in the line-of-fire for what we believe in, and the issues we fight for are on a national and global level.

 

The Heroic Join Us

 

Some of us are located in the United States (though the risks are everywhere), and aside from the obvious reasons one might need to hide their identity, we now have the Patriot Act to contend with.

Under the Patriot Act (which few members of the House or Senate actually read), if the U.S. government decides to declare an American citizen to be an “enemy combatant,” they can be held indefinitely without charge, and not allowed to see a lawyer. As to what constitutes an enemy combatant, the description is vague, however George W. Bush’s press secretary, Ari Fleischer, had warned American people to “watch what they say, watch what they do,” and Attorney General John Ashcroft declared that criticism of the administration’s policies aided terrorist enemies.

 

Constitution-Void-Where-Prohibited-By-Law

 

AnonHQ is an alternative news source, not mainstream, and we have an online following greater than that of FOX or CNN’s online following. Our news is not approved, mandated, or regulated by government officials, and aside from reporting on issues they’d rather we didn’t, we have been known to criticize the establishment.

If those of us at AnonHQ removed our masks today, there would most likely be no AnonHQ tomorrow. So for some of us, taking off our mask is not an act of bravery, but an act of defeat, and we won’t be defeated.

 

ee

 

We hope this clears up at least some of the confusion and controversy surrounding Anonymous Headquarters. We will continue to keep up with the posts and address additional concerns as they arise. In the meantime, we at AnonHQ ask to be judged by our actions, and we leave those who are quick to make assumptions based on hearsay with this bit of advice:

 

A wise man makes his own decisions an ignorant man follows public opinion

 


This Article (Anonymous Headquarters: Who Are We?) is a free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and AnonHQ.com.

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117 COMMENTS

  1. I just wanted to say that I believe in what Anon stands for. I only wish I had the sort of talent to contribute, but you have my support!

  2. I support you guys for the most part. i am curious what your guys views are of the candidates for the US’s next election.

  3. I believe in your fight but I seriously need help getting into a decent, safe place to live for me and my daughter, and my 2 year old granddaughter before we become seriously homeless. We have money but not able to pass credit, yet. We are working on that. Please help if you can.

    • Well he claims to be the “leader” of Anonymous, which he’s not. Plain and simple so that makes anything else he claims worth little. He also is doing nothing useful, so basically we have little reason to care.

  4. I think it’s good Anonymous expanded to include non-hackers because the world over, the internet’s being taken over by corporations, governments, and digital media creators. I’m disgusted by the Australian Government’s new data rentention laws that give them legal power to spy on people like me. I’m so angry and there seems to be nothing more I can do other than keep writing to Government and getting passed around. The first time I watched “V”, I was intrigued by the philosophy and that’s when I first heard of Anonymous. I’m livid about these laws, and if being Anonymous is one of the better things I can do, then I’m already in. These laws aren’t even distributed in mainstream media. They start tomorrow and there’s nothing about it on the news. So, anybody in Australia reading this, I sympathise. I’ve already cancelled all my social media accounts and converted everything to anonymous accounts. I don’t even want to call my depression hotline in case the Government links it to something I do in the future. I find these laws completely obscene. Anyways, that’s how I feel. Sorry for venting. From tomorrow I’m not going to use the internet much so getting the most out of today.

  5. Anonymous is a fierce egalitarian organisation that I am proud to support because it is the hallmark of a truly anarchist society which is the only fair society for human habitation. Hierarchy is only good for the elites. Without hierarchy and governments there will be no poverty, no corruption. I am an anon anarchist who believes hierchy in all its forms, be it government, religion or corporations is human rights abuse.

    • I am an Anon to and from central america… And I support your idea Paul. I’ve coolaborated with different Ops.
      Knowledge is free
      We are Anonymous
      We are Legion
      We do not Forgive
      We do not Forget
      Expect Us

  6. i hate to see such obvious sex ads below an article of such an important matter. if you anon hq are aware or in control of the content of advertising on this page, id love to see “clean” ads and not asian women dating sites or links to pages which are pure ads.

        • It could be him or someone who used his ip, either way google offers a way to get rid of those ads, click on the “close” sign and mark the content as inappropriate and you should be just fine.

  7. Please keep up the good work guys,
    In NZ and waiting for the first fire to start, we are waiting. we will support ya.
    please let the american people know that if they were to revolt tomorrow the world is behind them when they do

  8. I applaud your commitments, your energy and your movement. I really hope you succeed in making the world a safer and freer place for all. But your enemies are many and formidable….apathy, ignorance, greed and power. These are difficult to overcome….

  9. I have an interesting story… Back in 2000/2001 a group of my friends joked about starting a computer club called Anonymous, mainly with an emphasis on computer science, video games, and hacking (with regards to video games). I kept spreading the joke to my math/science/engineering friends. At one point, we met a group of other people that wanted to start a computer science, activist, hacking club called “V for Vendetta.” My friends suggest the name Anonymous. My original computer science nickname was also Anonymous, because I was an advocate for anonymity online.

  10. why do you need my email address for me to post a comment doesn’t that defeat the whole “anonymous” thing you guys got going

    • The reason for requiring your email is merely to alert you to new replies on your comments, and so that we can blacklist the emails of the most obnoxious trolls (a rare occurrence). Your email will never be shared and will only be used for aforementioned purposes.

  11. don’t trust Anonymous about 100 percent but you can give trust to anonymous about 50 percent because boss of ANonymous group released because he had some promise or signature to usa government about he don’t have bad act any more ? so he can have cooperation with Fbi or usa government but they can not go for cooperation by risk but do not have good destination so my advice to them it’s yeah continue about LOVE and peace and freedom ^_^

  12. Polish Politicians protesting the ACTA, 2012. Photo courtesy of Tejasghetia.
    EPIC LOOOOK EPIC :DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
    OHHHSORRY’SORRRY brotherss sorry really mygod omg

  13. to C;
    You needn’t do anything – no E-mail
    You just be as you are.
    But if you want a Guy Fawkes mask,
    you can easily get one cheap on EBAY,
    wear it to every or any demonstration.

  14. Been waiting since a child for a movement like this.. With all the hypocrisy in the world of horror..the most horrific would be the businesses’/gov and the individuals that run the disgust that can still live comfortably in a shithole thinking that they in control of the flushing..but we all know the truth of them all..

  15. Voting was invented so we the people believe we have a say in what goes on in our country. Millionaires hav too much to lose for us to have that much say.

  16. whatever happened to the Melinda Haag pinata (full of joints, hash and edibles) that was supposed to be a party favor on 420 day throughout the country? It needs legs. It would be nice to see that as part of the festivities. The wicked witch of totalitarian greed and biocide. Can we spread that idea around so people incorporate it on 420 day??

  17. I’d like to start a national campaign to limit receipts at stores so only those customers who request them get them. Congress can pass it as an act of law. It’ll start and spread here first. It could only save trees and cut down on useless receipts for little things etc, receipts that most people don’t want or need. Sound good? Let’s hope this spreads to the point where action is taken throughout the country. Thanks.

  18. Whatever happened to the Melinda Haag pinata (full of joints, hash and edibles) that was supposed to be a party favor on 420 day throughout the country? It needs legs. It would be nice to see that as part of the festivities. The wicked witch of totalitarian greed and biocide. Can we spread that idea around so people incorporate it on 420 day??

  19. Let’s start a movement whereby receipts are no longer given automatically at shops etc, but only if the customer asks for them. This way many trees can be spared. This will gain momentum until Congress enacts a law to make receipts given only if specifically asked for. Let’s spread this meme here! Save more trees!

  20. Keep up the good work guys. I’m with you 100%. You’ve awakened me a while back. I’m studying and building a nice set of tools to be an effective hacktivist. 1st amendment is worth protecting. We need more Snowdens in the world.

  21. It’s just nice to know there are people out there watching over us and who have our best interest at heart and who can make a real difference. I can only hope in the way I live day to day it is how any anon would do as well. I love you guys and gals and please never stop fighting.

  22. A couple of questions,because I am newly awakened. First: isn’t merely visiting a site like yours and commenting likely to be monitored by the PTB and place us on some sort of watch list? And second: I notice you say “research” is a way to get involved. I am a former private investigator (am trying to reinstate my license, but it was issued years ago, prior to Internet so my experience requirements were all paper) and I LOVE to research just about anything. What can I offer to you?

  23. 2003 – your humble beginnings….which is the same humble beginnings of the incorporation of the City of Doral, FL (having been appointed to the City Seal Committee) and since then, I’ve seen my “Camelot” destroyed and torn apart by treasonous elected officials, to which our city has been sold by our Mayor and Council to the Southern Command Military Base – in that 15,000 Syrians are scheduled to be processed throughout Miami-Dade County – and a majority of them will be resettled in Doral, FL

    It’s been an arduous 15 years in dealing with the constant attempts by our elected officials to undermine our Quality of Life and in a city with a pop. of 54,000 – I have been the LONE and RELENTLESS voice in letting all my fellow “DorAliens” know of the selling of our city to special interests. In particular about the planned usurping of long time residents and purging them from wanting to live here any longer (traffic is at a permanent standstill now) in favor of flooding our city with Section 8 housing (by completely undoing a 20 year land use map plan) with Syrian refugees.

    And it is because our local church pastors (who are desperate for increase in membership) will be paid good taxpayer money to process them into the system, with welfare and benefits (including us having to spend more money to hire Arabic speaking teachers, counselors and psychologists).

    And for the clincher, federal law mandates that during the process of being resettled, refugees – still as non-citizens, can immediately vote in the next election. Again…as NON-CITIZENS they can vote in local municipal elections.

    It has been a “long and winding road” and the challenge is intense, but the tunnel light never flickers.

  24. I started as a Script Kiddie in the year 2009, I only do hacking to impress some of my peers. But when I studied some Computer Terminologies and gain Knowledge about this stuffs, I even have the courage to learn more. I tell you, curiosity is the key to learn this things. True, “Curiosity kills the Cat” but isn’t how the world works? We need to take some risks. Even if I’m just a High School Student, a Grade 7 perhaps, I mastered some or few programming language. From basic to advanced, I gain my reputation as a PENTESTER.

    WE CAN CONTRIBUTE EVEN SMALL THINGS TO SUPPORT THIS MOVEMENT.
    WE ARE LEGION!
    WE ARE ANONYMOUS!

  25. I just recently started reading your stuff and am curious what you are all about.I understand the reason for the incognito but it is a double edged sword. While preventing powerful groups or people from stopping you getting news to us you also discredit yourself by being in the shadows. You can’t be vetted by people who don’t want to blindly follow or believe or join just anyone. Just how much is done action wise that we don’t know about or you don’t claim? It is difficult to only look at your actions apart from your words if we can’t be sure what ALL your actions are. A persons ideologies make their priorities. So to just profess good deeds? The Mormons believe in good deeds. That doesn’t make them an ideology I believe in or want to lend myself to.

    • ANYONE CAN JOIN..Anyone can propose an idea then it is up to the hive/flock whether it happens or not. Gotta kinda build your own network of people to work with, hence decentralized.

  26. I am interested in empowering through education.
    There is an infinite amount of information and knowledge which the establishment is not inclined to share with the masses.
    For example assassinations, regimes overthrown, destruction of the planet ecosystem, human slave trade and so on.
    I am interested in contributing the little I know to an Anon library list of recommended reading

  27. Why do you guys not help influence the masses by suggesting / supporting a “regular Joe” for US President? The problem with politics in this world is there are too many politicians. The people with 1/2 a brain know the current choices blow goats, the zombies with no brains just go with “the popular” vote. I am voting for Morgan Freeman.

  28. I’m down i don’t want to be a government puppet like they if you don’t believe in something you will fall for anything

  29. So I was wondering if there are different people behind the camera in the YouTube videos. Also I was wondering where can I get my mask? My mum always said I needed to find a group of people who share common interests and goals and I have.

  30. Hi dears,
    they will try to kill me cause they think I informed the bolivian police about a cocaintransport to Italy, that should be done by the CEO of the “home”, firstly they though that the husband be betrayed his wife, but now somehow they think it was me. Do you remember thay tried to kill me weeks ago? it was because of this! So if You did it CONGRATS, if not it was, as usual, some from inside. About all this I just informed the german consulate in Bolivia, but thaey ca´t do anything til any single step has be done (german!!!) he thinks in three weeks I will have an answer, I have the impression they delay everything. May be they kill me tonighgt cause of the Fiesta of San Juan, many of them will be drunk. Attack FFFFFFF

    if everything goes well I write to You tomorrow, if not U know what to do (B,Ñ,D)
    Greetings
    Ernesto

  31. I see you have covered the mass majority. We all on this planet pray for all of the above mentioned yes we all have our own approach to find our resolve but every human has a thought. Money is however the root of all evil so kootos to you for being nonprofit. People, lead by example! Always look around you.when the human race excerpts that we all want the same thing we will unite and make it happen , until then, its war. I can lead you to the truth but I can not make you believe it.

  32. So anyone that supports your goals and beliefs, and wants to join you, does that mean they are also an anon? Even if they are not hackers?

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