Sponsored message
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

'Anonymous' Hackers Threaten To Show Fullerton PD 'As Much Mercy As Was Shown Kelly Thomas'

Hackers Attack 'No on 8' website

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.

Hacker-activist group "Anonymous" has threatened retaliatory cyber attacks against the Fullerton Police Department over the death of Kelly Thomas, according to LA Now.

In a letter sent to the Police Department and distributed on the Internet, the group announced the start of Operation Fullerton at midday Saturday, saying it would avenge the death of Kelly Thomas by treating the police information technology "with as much mercy as was shown Kelly Thomas." "This is not just a brutal attack against another human being, but an attack against human rights," said the rambling letter that demanded the prosecution of five Fullerton officers reportedly involved in the beating of Thomas during a routine check on a car break-in report.

Fullerton police are taking the threat seriously and say they are taking security measures and have deployed IT staffers to "secure computers and electronic communications and monitor the systems for any intrusions."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Chip in now to fund your local journalism

A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right