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Friday afternoon, we heard from the local Anonymous folks that the theatrical debut of a documentary featuring several of them was showing in town.
We attended, and had a great time watching We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists. Director Brian Knappenberger was on hand to answer questions afterwards, as were some of the New York Anons featured in it: Vendetta, SethDood, and PokeAnon, who we have frequently seen at protests on 46th Street across from the Scientology org.
Poke announced that night that there would be a “raid” on Scientology the following night, Saturday. But we had other plans and couldn’t go. Someone who did appreciate Saturday’s demonstration turned out to be comedian Lewis Black, who announced on his Facebook that it was the “Best. Protest. Ever.”
Whoa!
Black was starring in an eight-night, one-man show at the Richard Rodgers Theatre across from the local Scientology church. (Sadly, that Saturday night was the show’s last before he took it on the road).
Earlier today, he posted on Facebook a photo of the Anonymous protest with the words “Best. Protest. Ever.” and then another photo with these words…
Another one…these guys were hilarious and spot on. Happy to have them outside the theater.
Black, of course, has little patience for religion of any kind, so it’s not a surprise that he appreciated the efforts of the NY Anons, who are still going relatively strong after protests in front of the org began more than four years ago, in February 2008.
We Are Legion features that initial New York demonstration as it tells the larger history of “hacktivism” in a compelling feature-length documentary. The New York Anons particularly distinguish themselves.
We could have used some footage of the really clever Anonymous protests that have happened in places like SF and Germany, and, frankly, we could have used a little less of writer Barrett Brown, who needs to dial back on the Tom Wolfe affectation.
But in all, We Are Legion was put together well, and featured intriguing interviews with people like Gregg Housh (who helped create the 2008 Anonymous video, “Message to Scientology“) and professor Gabriella Coleman of McGill University.
Knappenberger indicated that We Are Legion will be available in several formats, so order a copy today!
