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Activists embedded a video statement on the homepage of the United States Sentencing Commission, an agency of the US government. The statement referred to the death of Mr Swartz, an internet activist who apparently killed himself in January. "Two weeks ago today, a line was crossed," the statement said. "Two weeks ago today, Aaron Swartz was killed. Killed because he faced an impossible choice. Killed because he was forced into playing a game he could not win."
Mr Swartz, who was 26, was facing hacking charges and is believed to have taken his own life. His federal trial was due to be held next month. If found guilty, he could have faced up to 35 years in prison. Following his death, Mr Swartz's family released a statement blaming "intimidation" and "prosecutorial overreach" from the criminal justice system.
'Operation last resort'
The attack on the website was scheduled to begin at midnight eastern standard time, according to documents that appear to have been posted online by Anonymous activists. Later on Saturday the website was not functioning. The USSC is responsible for issuing sentencing guidelines for US federal courts.
The hackers, who had labelled the attack "Operation Last Resort", said the site was chosen for symbolic reasons. "The federal sentencing guidelines... enable prosecutors to cheat citizens of their constitutionally-guaranteed right to a fair trial, by a jury of their peers [and] are a clear violation of the 8th amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishments," the video statement said.
The statement also suggested the hackers had sensitive information relating to a number of US judges that may be made public. There have been numerous attacks by hackers operating under the Anonymous banner in recent months. On Thursday two British men were jailed after taking part in an attacks on payment services including Paypal, organised by Anonymous. Government websites of the UK and other countries have also been the subjects of attacks.
BBC News - Anonymous hackers target US agency site
They offered him six months in a plea bargain... And the vigilante thief was weeping for so-called victims in the public, who he presumed were offended by having to pay ten cents a page for public info. He was free to have his opinion on that and he was free to petition the government to change that policy. He was not free, however, to hack into their computers and steal the info. He broke the law and couldn't face the consequences of his own actions.
They offered him six months in a plea bargain... And the vigilante thief was weeping for so-called victims in the public, who he presumed were offended by having to pay ten cents a page for public info. He was free to have his opinion on that and he was free to petition the government to change that policy. He was not free, however, to hack into their computers and steal the info. He broke the law and couldn't face the consequences of his own actions.
Yep. I'm really sick of the way this kid is being portrayed as a victim.
